The Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights season gets underway at The Valley this week and the action is headlined by the 2022 Moir Stakes.
The Moir Stakes has drawn an excellent field of sprinters and the market suggests that we are set for a very competitive race.
We have analysed every single race on the card and our complete 2022 Moir Stakes Night tips are now available!
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Race 1 – Aspect Kitchens Plate (1200m)
El Padrino has an excellent chance to return to winning form in the Aspect Kitchen Plate.
He wasn’t beaten far in the McKenzie Stakes first-up and this race really isn’t that much tougher.
Barrier two is ideal for him and Jamie Kah will be able to settle him just behind the speed in the early stages of the contest.
Race 2 – Scarborough Stakes (1200m)
I am keen to take on the favourites in the Scarborough Stakes and there is some serious value to be found betting around them.
Queen Of The Ball has been sent to Victoria after finishing a credible fourth in the Silver Shadow Stakes and the form coming out of that race has been strong.
Blake Shinn will take her to the front in the early stages and she will give her rivals something to catch.
Troach will need some luck in running from barrier ten, but she still looks like the main danger.
There was plenty of merit in her win in the Atlantic Jewel Stakes and a similar effort would put her right in the mix.
Race 3 – MSC Signs Handicap (1400m)
Snapper has an excellent record at The Valley and he can upstage Clemenceau in this contest.
The wide barrier draw could prove to be an advantage as Logan McNeil will be able to ride him aggressively in the early stages of the contest.
He has scored four wins from his six race starts at The Valley and he can improve that record in this contest.
Race 4 – Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m)
I have a big opinion of Brosnan and I think that he can score an upset win in the Stutt Stakes.
He was excellent in the JJ Atkins during the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival and his first-up run in the Ming Dynasty Quality was better than it looks on paper.
Ben Melham can settle him closer to the speed from barrier six and he is sure to take good improvement into his second-up run.
Race 5 – Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Heat 1 (955m)
There is serious speed engaged in the first Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge of the season.
The Front Bar is a short course sprint specialist and he can make a winning start to his time in Victoria after starting his career in Western Australia.
He has won first-up in the past and the wide barrier draw could prove to be an advantage as Damien Oliver should be able to keep him out of the early speed battle.
This is a talented field and it isn’t a race I’m betting into with too much confidence, but The Front Bar does have upside.
Race 6 – Group 3 JRA Cup (2040m)
This is a very open edition of the JRA Cup and you can make a case for a number of different runners in this field.
Grand Promenade is the horse that stands out at a big price.
He showed last Spring that he is quality stayer, with a win in The Bart Cummings and a sixth place finish behind Verry Elleegant in the Melbourne Cup, and he has performed well fresh in the past.
Ben Melham will have options from the wide barrier draw and I am confident that he will run a better race than his current odds suggest.
Race 7 – Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m)
This is a terrific edition of the Moir Stakes.
I do think that the market has it just about right and the keys to the race are Paulele and Rothfire.
Paulele doesn’t have much 1000 metres form and that is the concern for me.
In saying that, Godolphin and James McDonald are absolutely flying and I don’t want to lose on the race if he wins.
This really does look like the perfect race for Rothfire.
He was electric first-up in the McEwen Stakes, over this same track and distance, and that will make him very tough to beat once again.
Luck in running is always key at The Valley and he maps to get a dream run just behind the speed.
Mileva is a legitimate blowout chance at $51.
She is a genuine 1000 metres specialist and she is capable of a high-rating performance on her day.
Race 8 – Group 2 Ladbrokes Stocks Stakes (1600m)
Kissonallforcheeks looks like the good thing of the night and she will be very tough to beat in the Ladbrokes Stocks Stakes.
She returned to winning form with an excellent win the Let’s Elope Stakes and this contest is not any tougher.
Mark Zahra will be able to settle her closer to the speed and she is ready for the step-up to the mile at this stage of her campaign.
Lady Of Honour is the likely leader and she is the only real danger.