EXPERT RACING TIPS: MOONEE VALLEY
MOONEE VALLEY PREVIEW AND TIPS | EXPERT TIPS | FRIDAY OCTOBER 3RD 2025
RAIL: 7m TRACK: Good 4
I expect on-speed horses to be strongly advantaged.
2. Cabriole
8. St Edward
7. Kirksville
3. Cacchione
Betting Strategy
Very little between Cabriole and St Edward. Giving the edge to Cabriole, who ran well in a strong form race behind Autumn Boy on debut in Sydney, his jumpouts have been good and Mark Zahra coming out for one ride is a good lead. St Edward is the likely leader and beat home subsequent Metro winner Sulek on debut.
7. Lyrics ‘N’ Song
3. Eden Rose
9. Shocap
8. Miss Deceiver
Betting Strategy
The early market appears right around the mark here, Lyrics ‘N’ Song has jumped out well for her debut run and the barrier is a help. Eden Rose ran well enough in harder races last preparation and is another who has jumped out sharply too.
1. Highland Bling
2. Karburan
8. Jenny The Beaver
6. Thurmond
Betting Strategy
A great time for dinner, four OTI horses are all in the market, an in-play punters nightmare.
4. Rich Dottie
3. Stokke
5. Trembles
8. Mckeyla
Betting Strategy
This race will be determined mostly in the first 200m, can Trembles kick up and lead or will Stokke press to cross, with plenty of speed around them too. Stokke gave me some real head karate winning from off speed first-up, Rich Dottie was poor first-up but has a strong number at this track and trip.
9. Saluted
8. One Hard Lady
5. Tarpaulin
1. Call To Glory
Betting Strategy
Saluted was on heat last start at Sandown, according to an overheard conversation over the fence at the mounting yard, that was backed up by her antics and performance. Her regressing back to old ratings wouldn’t surprise at all.
2. I Am The Empire
1. Lincoln Rocks
10. Chocolate Royal
9. Kokoro
Betting Strategy
I Am The Empire was given a horror steer, not leading in the Benalla Cup, I would be surprised if they don’t try and lead here. Four-weeks between runs isn’t ideal for Lincoln Rocks but was progressing towards a victory after his second-up run at this track/distance.
1. Emphasize
10. Naina
5. Our Wishbone
4. Heed The Omens
Betting Strategy
BACK: 1. Emphasize (WIN) for 1 unit (Rated at $5.50)
Emphasize has been running better than the form guide would suggest this preparation. He was well backed first-up, which surprised me and he was outdashed but ran the fastest last 100m of the race. Last start they went back, he overraced and was wide the trip, again was outdashed but found the line. I would’ve liked to have seen him at 1800m or 2000m already.
11. Balastier
14. Mercurial Lady
10. Sun Setting
9. Enna’s Dream
Betting Strategy
LAY: 9. Enna’s Dream (WIN) for 3 units (Rated at $6.50)
Enna’s Dream is always a low percentage play, she has a poor racing pattern, is outdashed early at 1100m/1200m and can’t run out a strong 1400m. She is 3/18 lifetime and will need luck to be in the finish tonight.
THE VALLEY RACECOURSE | BETTING TIPS
SUMMARY
Known simply as The Valley, Moonee Valley Racing Club is the home of the Cox Plate, billed as Australasia’s weight-for-age championship. The $5 million race, which celebrated its centenary edition in 2020, became synonymous with Winx after Chris Waller’s mighty mare won it four years running. The Valley is also synonymous with night racing, having been the first club in Victoria to race under lights. Both the Group 1 Manikato Stakes and the Group 1 William Reid Stakes are run under lights. Whether it’s a day or a night meeting, our team of tipsters is adept at identifying the best Moonee Valley bets.
FAST FACTS
- The $200m redevelopment of The Valley is due for completion in 2026, with the racecourse due to close after the 2024 Cox Plate to facilitate construction of the new grandstand. The club’s aim is to convert the precinct into the world’s leading night racing destination.
KEY EVENTS
The W.S. Cox Plate, which was first run in 1922 with a prize purse of just $1,000, is The Valley’s showpiece occasion. Currently worth $5 million and with several champion racehorses adorning its illustrious honour roll, the Cox Plate is widely considered to be Australian racing’s truest weight-for-age test. Mighty mare Winx dominated the Cox Plate between 2015 and 2018, surpassing the feats of Kingston Town to become the first horse in history to win the race on four occasions. Winx won the 2018 Cox Plate at odds of $1.24 and was even shorter in 2017, jumping the $1.18 favourite, but Betfair’s Moonee Valley tips tend to offer punters more value! Check out Betfair’s tips on the Cox Plate here.
TRACK PROFILE
Known for its tight turns, The Valley is very much a ‘horses for courses’ type of track. The home straight of just 173 metres is the shortest straight in Australia, meaning it pays to be up on the speed (particularly in sprint races) as backmarkers rarely make up much ground. With a similar track profile to The Valley, horses trained at Mornington have a better-than-average strike rate here.
When the rail is moved out 5m (or more), the track often favours horses drawn inside as they can dictate the pace of the race and make a winning break coming round the final turn. The Valley’s drainage system is excellent, with the track rarely rated in the Heavy range. Betfair’s experts take all the track variables into account when bringing you their Moonee Valley tips.
HISTORY
Moonee Valley Racecourse was established in 1883 by William Samuel (W.S.) Cox, in whose honour the Cox Plate is named. In 1882, Cox purchased a farm belonging to John F. Feehan – in whose honour the Feehan Stakes is named – for the sole purpose of establishing a racetrack. With the club entirely owning the freehold land on which the racecourse sits, Moonee Valley is distinguished from other Melbourne metropolitan racecourses such as Caulfield and Flemington.
Check out Betfair’s best bets for Moonee Valley today.
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