It has been a short while since we last enjoyed racing at The Valley, but all of that ends on Saturday, July 29th!
Nine races will be run and won at the unique racecourse, and you can find all of my thoughts at Moonee Valley Tips right here.
Ladbroke It! Handicap (1000m) – 12:45pm
Archo Nacho missed the start before flashing late for second at Flemington last time out, and I am confident he’ll bounce back at The Valley on Saturday.
The Sioux Nation gelding stamped himself as one to watch by winning on debut at Werribee last month, and if not for missing the kick at his latest, he’d still be undefeated.
Fitter third-up, he just needs to handle The Valley to be in the finish again!
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Archo Nacho
Opus Group Handicap (1000m) – 1:20pm
Outback Miss puts an unbeaten record on the line in Race 2 and looks the one to topple again.
The Mick Price & Mick Kent Jnr-trained filly gave them a galloping lesson on debut at Bendigo on debut and repeated the dose at Caulfield last time out.
Fitter third-up, her ability at The Valley is the key to her success as well!
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Outback Miss
Dominant 65 Years Handicap (1600m) – 1:55pm
Another Wil takes winning form into the third at The Valley on Saturday and can continue his rise through the grades.
The Street Boss gelding showed some ability at the trials prior to debuting and only just missed over 1400m on debut.
Having hit the line five lengths ahead of his rivals at Moe last time out, he looks more than capable of making a successful transition to Saturday metro company this week.
Suggested Bet: No. 7 Another Wil
Lee Ann Suryn Handicap (2040m) – 2:30pm
Torranzino is chasing a hat-trick when he steps out at The Valley on Thursday.
The Tarzino gelding has continued to improve with racing this time and broke his maiden with a dominant effort at Warracknabeal last month.
Having repeated the result at Caulfield last time out, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Torranzino
Luna Hand Care Handicap (2040m) – 3:10pm
I’m going to give Flash Feeling another chance in the fifth at The Valley on Saturday.
Flash Feeling was eye-catching into the minors, beaten a head at Caulfield two back, but was caught wide and luckless behind Young Werther at Flemington last time.
He’s hard-fit, has options from the rails draw, and should enjoy better luck in this small field this week.
Suggested Bet: No. 7 Flash Feeling
Dominant Brand Protection Handicap (2500m) – 3:50pm
This looms as one of the more open races on the program and there’s a case to be made for a few of them, including Strawberry Rock.
Strawberry Rock was an eye-catching winning in BM78 company at Sandown two starts back, before finishing a credible fourth in the Stayers Cup at Randwick last time out.
He steps out this week in peak order, will relish the trip, and we can have an each way play at current odds ($9 at publish).
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Strawberry Rock
Ranvet Travis Harrison Cup (1600m) – 4:30pm
Another open race that is full of winning potential, and I thought that Frankie Pinot looked over the odds at his current quote ($21 at publish).
Frankie Pinot has won a race in what has already been a busy year, but he is rarely far away from the winner and has placed in a couple of black type features.
He gets some relief in the weights this week under Madison Lloyd and is another whom we can have something on each way.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Frankie Pinot
Dominant.com.au Handicap (1600m) – 5:05pm
We were with Defiant Diva when she only just missed at HQ a couple of weeks ago and I am keen to give her another chance this week.
The Dissident mare has continued to strip fitter with each start back this time and was desperately unlucky not to get the bob in at her latest.
In peak order, assuming she handles The Valley, I’m pretty keen on her chances in this!
Suggested Bet: No. 7 Defiant Diva
Dominant Plant Powered Handicap (1200m) – 5:40pm
Pereille steps out third-up and primed to strike again on Saturday.
The Godolphin gelding hasn’t missed placing in eight previous trips to the races, and broke his maiden at Randwick-Kensington first-up this time before filling his minors at his first crack at the Victorian way of going last time.
Fitter third-up, he gets into this well and just need some luck to be in the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 14 Pereille