We have a Group 2 event taking place at The Valley this Saturday as well as a card full of quality races.
Our full 2023 Australia Stakes Day Preview can be found below.
RACE 1 – 12:35 PM AEDT – Benchmark 100 Handicap (2500m)
A really tough way to start the day with a bunch of lower grade horses who are unproven over 2500m.
One horse that does not fit that profile is Sound who has consistently competed in a higher grade than this and will stay all day.
He drops down a kilo for finishing third last start at Flemington in a Listed race with the apprentice claiming and he seems to perform well at The Valley.
Suggested Bet: 1 units – E/W Sound
RACE 2 – 1:10PM AEDT – Benchmark 70 Handicap (2040m)
Fighting Arrow has been excellent without winning right throughout this prep and has placed in his last three in a row now.
He was narrowly denied at this track and distance two back and this looks a very similar grade of race.
Drawn to get a nice run in barrier four and Blake Shinn steers.
Suggested Bet: 1 unit – Fighting Arrow
RACE 3 – 1:45PM AEDT – Benchmark 70 Handicap (1600m)
Ballynora was a dominant 1.75 length winner in a benchmark 64 here at They Valley two back and she simply ran into one better in the smart Forbidden City last start.
She is a talented and progressive young mare with plenty of upside and she has drawn to get a lovely run in transit in a very open race here.
Suggested Bet: 1 unit – E/W Ballynora
RACE 4 – 2:20PM AEDT – Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m)
Spacewalk has just the one career win to his name but he’s placed in six of nine overall.
The son of Exosphere returned to the races with a third first up at Rosehill where he peaked on his run late in the race.
He’ll take benefit of that run and he’s drawn well in barrier three with Jamie Kah in the saddle.
Suggested Bet: 3 unit – Spacewalk
RACE 5 – 3:00PM AEDT – Benchmark 70 Handicap (1000m)
Jean Valjean has done the majority of his racing in Adelaide but heads east in pretty good form.
He’s placed in three of four this prep which includes two wins at Morphettville and he’s had a trial in between his last start a month ago.
Fitness will not be an issue and he’s drawn to get a gun run in transit from barrier four.
Suggested Bet: 2 unit – Jean Valjean
RACE 6 – 3:40PM AEDT – Benchmark 70 Handicap (1200m)
Luna Cat has placed in six of 10 career starts and has been competitive in open class racing in the past.
She has a win at this track and distance and was beaten two lengths here behind Pinstriped in a quality race this time last year.
Wasn’t beaten far first up at Sandown and the extra distance suits not.
Suggested Bet: 2 unit – Luna Cat
RACE 7 – 4:20PM AEDT – Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m)
Western Empire started over 1200m for the first time at headquarters first up and while he was too far back to win, he ran on ok.
Jamie Mott said the track was too firm that day so any sting out of the track will be beneficial and he meets the winner of that race, Snapper, 5.5kgs better at the weights.
He’s performed well second up before and although this is still short of his ideal distance, he represents good each way value at his current price in Australia Stakes betting.
Suggested Bet: 1 unit – E/W Western Empire
RACE 8 – 5:00PM AEDT – Benchmark 70 Handicap (1200m)
The Hayes trained Extreme Step was an impressive winner here at The Valley two back when scoring by over a length in a benchmark 64.
She then stepped up in grade here again and was a little disappointing last time out but I’m willing to give her another chance.
She’s drawn perfectly in barrier two and should be nearing peak fitness now at her third run this prep.
Suggested Bet: 1 unit – E/W Extreme Step
RACE 9 – 5:40PM AEDT – Benchmark 78 Handicap (1500m)
Worsfold has had an excellent start to this prep having won both his starts by a combined 3.25 lengths at Sandown.
The lightly raced five year old gelding has now won five of 13 overall and although this is a rise in grade, he looks the horse to beat.
Suggested Bet: 2 unit – Worsfold