The following is a survey of Australian racing tips for Saturday, October 24. The focus is on the full race card at Moonee Valley along with the feature races at Randwick. The highlight of the day is the Group 1 Cox Plate (Race 9) at Moonee Valley. More tips and previews will be added as they become available.
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Best bets
Moonee Valley Race 1: No. 2 Ancestry
Moonee Valley Race 4: No. 2 Ecumenical
Moonee Valley Race 6: No. 6 Young Werther – BEST BET
Moonee Valley Race 7: No. 1 Homesman and No. 2 Kings Will Dream
Moonee Valley Race 8: No. 4 Shared Ambition
Moonee Valley
Race 3: Bella Nipotina
Race 4: Miss Inbetween each-way
Race 6: Young Werther – BEST BET
Race 8: Oceanex each-way
Race 9:
Bets: Armory (win) and Kolding (each-way)
Exotic: Box Trifecta: 1,2,9,11,12
Top 5:
1. Armory
2. Kolding
3. Russian Camelot
4. Arcadia Queen
5. Humidor
Race 10: Minhaaj
Quaddie: 1,5,6,8,9/4,5,8,10,12/1,11,12/1,3
Race 4: Thermosphere – BEST BET
Race 5: Sovereign Award
Race 6: Lunar Fox
Race 8: Shared Ambition
Race 9: Sir Dragonet and Grandslam
Race 1:
ANCESTRY (2) Won by a huge margin last run at Cranbourne and shows good early pace. Going well this campaign winning 2 from as many starts. Rates highly. JUNGLE EDGE (1) Slipped back to finish 7th last run at Caulfield but having third run back from a spell. Should muster plenty of early speed. Among better hopes. FREE OF DEBT (7) Lost ground in the run home when 13th last time at Doomben and fresh after a break. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Looks promising in this race. THE CENTAURIAN (4) First up. Was all too good winning three runs back at this venue and suited by the weight drop. Hard to knock and looks a nice each way proposition.
Race 2:
SNEAKY FIVE (14) Ciaron Maher and David Eustace 2yo debutant by Fastnet Rock. One of the leading players. PREDETERMINED (5) Leon and Troy Corstens trained 2yo by Headwater having first race start. Nice chance at a very tempting price. SON OF MERCURY (7) Street Boss 2yo trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace having first start. One of the main chances. TEMPEST CHARM (15) Trust In A Gust 2yo having first start for trainer R Griffiths & M De Kock. Represents value at the price.
Race 3:
PORTLAND SKY (5) Chimed in with a win three runs back at Ballarat and can save some energy from the barrier. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Rates well and should be taken seriously. VALAQUENTA (1) Game effort to win three runs back at Caulfield and having third run back from a break. Likely to get a nice run behind the speed. Should be very competitive and is a genuine threat. BELLA NIPOTINA (7) Scored a victory three runs back at Caulfield. Has good tactical speed and will be nicely positioned. Will give a big sight. FREE TO MOVE (2) Fought on gamely when winning last time at this course and third up. Will be pushing for a forward position early. Looks value and a good place bet.
Race 4:
ECUMENICAL (2) Finished strongly when 4th last start at Caulfield. Looks well placed. THERMOSPHERE (1) Really dug deep when winning two runs back at Flemington. Should just about get the run of the race. Will give a big sight. INCREDULOUS DREAM (4) On a short turnaround. Brave effort to win last time at Caulfield and will appreciate a good gate. Will give a big sight. YES BABY YES (6) Placed 2nd last time at Caulfield and shows good early pace. Place wouldn’t shock.
Race 5:
SOVEREIGN AWARD (3) Brave effort to win last start at Caulfield but hoping that the added weight won’t hurt. Tracking very well this campaign. Top prospects against this opposition. PARADEE (10) Having third run back from a break. At $12 ran 5th last start at Caulfield. Should improve. Has genuine claims in this race. GREYSFUL GLAMOUR (2) Couldn’t maintain the momentum going throughout when 2nd last time at Randwick but rises in weight today. Likely to be well placed early. Respect against this field. BONVICINI (5) Produced an eye catching run when 3rd two runs back at Flemington and can go through the gears. Suited.
Race 6:
YOUNG WERTHER (6) Finished on top two runs back at Geelong but rising in grade. Drawn to sit just in behind the speed. Looks a strong bet for punters. CHERRY TORTONI (3) Kept coming when 2nd two runs back at the track and goes down in grade. Can go on with it. LUNAR FOX (2) Looked solid when 5th last start at Caulfield and dropping in class. Should get a lovely cart into it from just behind the leaders. Among the major players. KHOEKHOE (1) Really dug deep when winning last time at Flemington but facing a stronger class today. Likely to race off the speed. Open to improvement and has a show in this field.
Race 7:
HOMESMAN (1) Faded to finish 19th last time at Randwick. Should improve today and should race just behind the speed. Expect to go close. KINGS WILL DREAM (2) Good run when placing 3rd three runs back at Caulfield but returns to a shorter trip. Always seems to find the line well. Ticks plenty of boxes and looks like value. AGE OF CHIVALRY (6) Looked good when 3rd three runs back at this venue but going up in weight. Will be looking to sit just behind the pace. Suited. OLMEDO (4) Fresh from a spell. Ran well when 2nd two runs back at Longchamp and now racing for a new trainer Chris Waller. Open to improvement and is a strong chance again.
Race 8:
SHARED AMBITION (4) Good show to place 2nd two runs back at Randwick. Possesses good closing speed. Goes very close. HUSH WRITER (2) Claimed late when 2nd two runs back at Newcastle but rises in weight today. Include in all exotics. SOUND (7) Put in a competitive run when placing 2nd last time at Flemington and very competitive this preparation. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Gets a chance to win. SELINO (10) Competitive effort when 2nd last time at Doncaster and tracking very well this campaign. Should land a nice spot just off the speed. Big danger.
Race 9:
RUSSIAN CAMELOT (11) Landed the spoils when winning two runs back in the Underwood Stakes. Well in this. ARCADIA QUEEN (9) Landed the spoils when winning last start in the Caulfield Stakes. Been in the money 3 from 4 attempts this preparation. Open to improvement and is a strong chance again. ARMORY (12) Let up. Really dug deep when winning two runs back in the Royal Whip Stakes. Worth consideration. PROBABEEL (13) Scored a victory last run in the Epsom but goes up in weight. Chance.
Race 10:
WRITTEN BEAUTY (5) Having second run back from a break. Winner last start at Canterbury and likely to be well placed early. Hard to hold out. MINHAAJ (1) Third up today. Ran on strongly when 3rd last run at Flemington but hoping that the added weight won’t hurt. Chance to break through and a could give a show. LA MEXICANA (8) Having third run back from a break. Shot clear to win last time at Cranbourne but up against stronger competition. Can’t knock. MAHA (3) Solid run on the pace before weakening to finish 2nd last time at Flemington and should jump out and bowl along. Worth consideration.
Race 1: Ancestry
Race 2: Son Of Mercury
Race 3: Valaquenta
Race 4: Ecumenical
Race 5: Paradee
Race 6: Young Werther
Race 7: Kings Will Dream
Race 8: Shared Ambition
Race 9: Arcadia Queen
Race 10: Minhaaj
Race 1: 2. Ancestry and/or 7. Free Of Debt
Race 3: 5. Portland Sky, 7. Bella Nipotina, 3. Rock The Ring
Race 4: 2. Ecumenical
Race 5: 8. Fascino and/or 5. Bonvicini
Race 6: 6. Young Werther
Race 7: 1. Homesman
Race 8: 4. Shared Ambition
Race 10: 5. Written Beauty if there, otherwise 3. Maha, 1. Minhaaj, 4. Highly Discreet
Race 1:
2. Ancestry, 1. Jungle Edge, 7. Free Of Debt, 9. Condo’s Express
Race 2:
5. Predetermined, 7. Son Of Mercury, 4. Hardware Lane, 17. Dosh
Race 3:
7. Bella Nipotina, 9. Tarcoola Diva, 5. Portland Sky, 1. Valaquenta
Race 4:
2. Ecumenical, 1. Thermosphere, 4. Incredulous Dream, 8. Mussenphere
Race 5:
10. Paradee, 3. Sovereign Award, 5. Bonvicini, 9. Benitoite
Race 6:
6. Young Werther, 2. Lunar Fox, 1. Khoekhoe, 7. Johnny Get Angry
Race 7:
2. Kings Will Dream, 1. Homesman, 6. Age Of Chivalry, 4. Olmedo
Race 8:
8. Oceanex, 4. Shared Ambition, 7. Sound, 13. Super Girl
Race 9:
9. Arcadia Queen, 11. Russian Camelot, 14. Grandslam, 2. Humidor
Race 10:
1. Minhaaj, 8. La Mexicana, 5. Written Beauty, 3. Maha, 4. Highly Discreet
Race 1:
2. Ancestry, 9. Condo’s Express, 1. Jungle Edge, 6. Tony Nicconi
Race 2:
15. Tempest Charm, 17. Dosh, 5. Predetermined, 14. Sneaky Five
Race 3:
4. Ice Ice Baby, 7. Bella Nipotina, 5. Portland Sky, 1. Valaquenta
Race 4:
2. Ecumenical, 9. Miss Madec, 10. La Marsa, 1. Thermosphere
Race 5:
3. Sovereign Award, 2. Greysful Glamour, 5. Bonvicini, 11. I Am Eloquent
Race 6:
6. Young Werther, 2. Lunar Fox, 3. Cherry Tortoni, 7. Johnny Get Angry
Race 7:
1. Homesman, 6. Age Of Chivalry, 8. Chief Ironside, 2. Kings Will Dream
Race 8:
4. Shared Ambition, 1. Gallic Chieftain, 5. Trap for Fools, 7. Sound
Race 9:
9. Arcadia Queen, 13. Probabeel, 11. Russian Camelot, 7. Sir Dragonet
Race 10:
8. La Mexicana, 5. Written Beauty, 1. Minhaaj, 4. Highly Discreet
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 1:
NOTE: Rail is true, as it will be for Friday night’s meeting. At time of seeing fields (finally! Thanks heaps!) it’s 11.25am Wednesday and there are around 25mm rain predicted Friday night, then, 10mm Saturday. However, we know how wrong they have been of late so …? Last year on-pace runners found it tough (wind a factor). The previous year those on the inside lanes had a significant advantage. ANCESTRY is very fast and can sustain speed, it’s a great attribute if you want to be a fast athlete. FREE OF DEBT split Super Seth and Dalasan fresh last prep! JUNGLE EDGE, yes wet!!
Selections: 2. Ancestry (top tip), 7. Free Of Debt, 1. Jungle Edge, 4. The Centaurian
Race 2:
Much to learn here. HARDWARE LANE showed a bit on debut and may be a big improver here? PREDETERMINED and MORTAL WITNESS jumped out together in fast time. Predetermined wasn’t asked for much effort. SON OF MERCURY edged away from SNEAKY FIVE late when given a niggle. Doubt there’s much between them. RIVER VIEWS won a heat quite well. CAPITAL RAIDER was given a quiet time. TEMPEST CHARM and DOSH (emergency) have ample ability it seems.
Selections: 14. Sneaky Five (top tip), 7. Son Of Mercury, 5. Predetermined, 15. Tempest Charm
Race 3:
SPEED: 7,8,9 go fwd. 2,5 take trails. PORTLAND SKY came through underneath the entire field at Flemington in fast race last time, he beat VALAQUENTA clearly, that horse had just held off Muntaseera prior and that girl (Muntaseera) then ran by BELLA NIPOTINA chasing the smart Swats That. ROCK THE RING was ridden in jumpout but closed well, before break he beat recent MV winner FREE TO MOVE comfortably. Some guesswork here though if track very wet.
Selections: 5. Portland Sky (top tip), 7. Bella Nipotina, 3. Rock The Ring, 1. Valaquenta
Race 4:
SPEED: 3,6 from 1,2,4,8. ECUMENICAL draws out again so she will need luck, that (luck) is one thing she did not receive in G1 Thousand Guineas when some 4-deep yet she still had the audacity to hold fourth and beat home THERMOSPHERE who had a much softer run. In fairness, Thermosphere may have been a bit flat off that tough win 7-days prior when wide herself. Wet no issue these two. INCREDULOUS DREAM was 6-weeks between runs into last week when running by YES BABY YES and acts like she wants 1600m. LA MARSA best roughie?
Selections: 2. Ecumenical (Best of the Day), 1. Thermosphere, 4. Incredulous Dream, 10. La Marsa
Race 5:
SPEED: 2 looks leader from 3, 4 with 11, 10 up there. GREYSFUL GLAMOUR beat Oceanex 6L here last year but she is a dry-tracker. SOVEREIGN AWARD was well backed and beat a good field at Caulfield, wet no issue her. BONVICINI kept closing against the slow tempo second up. Only the winner had a faster last 200m. FASCINO beat Bonvicini (was wide) here at 1600m at this meeting last year. She needs 1600m now! MY PENDANT has had a bit against her of late. PARADEE is fitter and has 5kg on Sovereign Award here.
Selections: 8. Fascino (value bet), 5. Bonvicini, 10. Paradee, 7. My Pendant
Race 6:
SPEED: 4, 9 can lead 8, 2, 5 with 1 next? KHOEKHOE held off YOUNG WERTHER at Flemington in the Super Impose with last week’s winner Albarado in third, Young Werther was a touch unlucky when probably beaten by his own inexperience, that was only start two so safe to assume he is well and truly on an upward spiral. LUNAR FOX was no match for Cherry Tortoni here in the Stutt Stakes but battled well in G1 Guineas when looking in need of 2040m. Cherry Tortoni didn’t finish off in Sydney at 2000m but that was a G1 race. JOHNNY GET ANGRY wants all of 2040m!
Selections: 6. Young Werther (top tip), 1. Khoekhoe, 3. Cherry Tortoni, 2. Lunar Fox
Race 7:
SPEED: 3 may lead 4, 5, 6 with 1, 2 handy. The WFA scale clearly suits HOMESMAN who was only 2.5L off Te Akau Shark and Verry Elleegant in a fast G1 fresh last prep. He won the Feehan here easily fresh prior. KINGS WILL DREAM was only 2.5L off Verry Elleegant in the Turnbull. He drops back to 1600m today. OLMEDO was spelled after Oz debut fail in Ajax Stakes but trialled well in Sydney with some sharp sprinters. AGE OF CHIVALRY was wide/terrific in Toorak but that was a handicap. He’s back in the good books. DR DRILL is another back in trip but can win. CHIEF IRONSIDE won this last year.
Selections: 1. Homesman (top tip), 6. Age Of Chivalry, 2. Kings Will Dream, 5. Dr Drill
Race 8:
SPEED: 5,2,8 can lead 9 with 11,12,13 taking sit? SHARED AMBITION sustained a long, wide run Flemington and kept closing with his 58.5kg. SOUND beat him home there and was only beaten 4L in last year’s Caul/Melb Cups. GALLCI CHIEFTAIN looks closer to a win but draws wide, pattern? OCEANEX has been to staying trips twice, for two wins, she beat SUPER GIRL in one of those but Super Girl has 2.5kg swing now. Rain helps POLLY GREY but hinders HUSH WRITER. CARIF needs a win, and luck, but ran well last Spring in Melb. Wary SELINO.
Selections: 4. Shared Ambition (top tip), 8. Oceanex, 1. Gallic Chieftain, 9. Carif
Race 9:
SPEED: 8, 14 may lead 1. 12 & 13 take trails? What do 3, 11 do? ASPETAR easily beat a couple of subsequent group winners last start. They won by an aggregate 10L too. Wet? ARMORY is Nth-Hemipshere 3YO (profiles like ’14 winner Adelaide?) beat home Sottsass latest, who then won G1 Irish Champs. Wet? MAGIC WAND was good in this race last year but is she going as well? SIR DRAGONET has beaten Armory. ARCADIA QUEEN is back! She showed her brilliance sailing by RUSSIAN CAMELOT in the Caulfield Stakes. Wet? GRANDSLAM went hard in the Caulfield Guineas and ran very well. Wet?
Selections: 9. Arcadia Queen (top tip), 12. Armory, 6. Aspetar
Race 10:
SPEED: 5 may lead 8 with 1,3,6 close-up. WRITTEN BEAUTY is down to run Friday Night. If here, she is top pick, suspect they can cross and lead. She was an excellent return winner in Sydney in fast (track record) time beating two smarties. MAHA beat home MINHAAJ and meets her 1kg better, that was also a fast race. HIGHLY DISCREET flew home here then had not hope back/pulling Caulfield latest. LA MEXICANA is smart too.
Selections: 5. Written Beauty (top tip), 3. Maha, 1. Minhaaj, 4. Highly Discreet
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 1: Ancestry – LAY BET
Race 9: Russian Camelot
Race 9: Sir Dragonet (13.00) (win), Grandslam (18.00, 5.00) (each way)
Race 1:
2. Ancestry, 1. Jungle Edge, 6. Tony Nicconi
Race 2:
17. Dosh, 5. Predetermined, 12. Gossitino
Race 3:
7. Bella Nipotina, 5. Portland Sky, 2. Free To Move
Race 4:
2. Ecumenical, 9. Miss Madec, 1. Thermosphere
Race 5:
3. Sovereign Award, 10. Paradee, 5. Bonvicini
Race 6:
6. Young Werther, 2. Lunar Fox, 1. Khoekhoe
Race 7:
8. Chief Ironside, 6. Age Of Chivalry, 2. Kings Will Dream
Race 8:
7. Sound, 4. Shared Ambition, 1. Gallic Chieftain
Race 9:
11. Russian Camelot, 12. Armory, 9. Arcadia Queen
Race 10:
1. Minhaaj, 8. La Mexicana, 3. Maha
Race 1:
2. Ancestry, 1. Jungle Edge, 7. Free Of Debt, 4. The Centaurian
Race 2:
14. Sneaky Five, 7. Son Of Mercury, 5. Predetermined, 12. Gossitino
Race 3:
7. Bella Nipotina, 5. Portland Sky, 3. Rock The Ring, 2. Free To Move
Race 4:
2. Ecumenical, 3. Miss Inbetween, 9. Miss Madec, 4. Incredulous Dream
Race 5:
10. Paradee, 5. Bonvicini, 8. Fascino, 3. Sovereign Award
Race 6:
6. Young Werther, 5. Captain Corelli, 1. Khoekhoe, 7. Johnny Get Angry
Race 7:
1. Homesman, 9. Riddle Me That, 8. Chief Ironside, 6. Age Of Chivalry
Race 8:
12. Polly Grey, 4. Shared Ambition, 13. Super Girl, 7. Sound
Race 9:
11. Russian Camelot, 7. Sir Dragonet , 12. Armory, 9. Arcadia Queen
Race 10:
8. La Mexicana, 1. Minhaaj, 4. Highly Discreet, 5. Written Beauty
Randwick
Race 4: 8 – Criaderas (1.85)
Race 6: 1 – Elizabeel (6.50), 2 – Prime Star (4.00), 3 – Thermosphere (6.50)
Race 3:
THE BOPPER (3) Second up from a break. Won by a huge margin two runs back at Scone but rising in class. Is in good order and can run well. DESTINATION (1) Rattled home nicely into 2nd last run at Rosehill and gets a favourable gate. Can go on with it. ON THE LEAD (2) Put in a competitive run when placing 2nd last run at this track and drops back to a suitable class. Has been a model of consistency since resuming from a spell. Among the major players. BALLISTIC LOVER (7) Fought on well to win last start at Warwick Farm and having third run back from a spell. Very tidy this campaign winning 2 from as many attempts. Should muster plenty of early speed. Place hope.
Race 5:
DJUKON (4) Produced an eye catching run when 2nd last run at Rosehill but rises in weight today. Always seems to find the line well. Warrants a bet. GREY LION (1) Was fighting out the finish when winning last run at Doomben. Likely to get a nice run behind the speed. Capable of getting into the money. GIRL TUESDAY (3) Finished 4.2l from the winner at this venue last run on a good track. Should improve today and shows very good closing speed. Yet to fire this campaign with no wins from 9 runs. Could go well. SCARLET DREAM (7) Looked good when 4th last time at this track and displays good finishing speed. Appears well in this.
Race 6:
PELTZER (1) Fought on gamely when winning last start at this course. Expecting to settle positively. Hard to overlook. PRIME STAR (2) Game effort to win three runs back at Rosehill. Should get a lovely cart into it from just behind the leaders. Been in the money 3 from 4 attempts this campaign. Honest enough customer who is strongly placed. ELIZABEEL (9) Backing up quickly. Showed promise when winning two runs back at Hawkesbury and has a good draw. Goes close. ACROPHOBIC (3) Nice show when placing 3rd two runs back around here and can save some energy from the barrier. Expected to be flashing home. Better claims.
Race 7:
ATHIRI (8) Got the upper hand late when winning last start at this track but rising in class. Very competitive this preparation. Include in chances. WANDABAA (6) Good run when finishing 3rd last time at Newcastle. Possesses good closing speed. Suitably placed in this race. SWEET DEAL (2) Fought on gamely when winning three runs back at this course and has drawn the rails. Should race on the speed. Wouldn’t leave out of multiples. EVALINA (3) Looked promising when 5th last time at Rosehill. Finishes off strongly. Chance.
Race 3: On The Lead
Race 5: Djukon
Race 6: Prime Star
Race 7: Athiri
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 3:
3 leads 6? DESTINATION stays at 1100m; 4 weeks before and 4 weeks since his latest run. Still hasn’t notched a metro win but last start was evidence he could ‘break through’ at this level. Could certainly make a string case he is best credentialed but he is having his fifth run of the prep. Arguably what he’s been doing wins this though so as long as he can hold together….. ON THE LEAD has a last start 2nd to Wild Ruler to boast about as well and they were at level weights. The others need to come up to the level but THE BOPPER was only just outgunend by a fit horse first-up so would be no huge surprise.
Selections: 1. Destination (top tip), 2. On The Lead, 3. The Bopper, 4. Ocean Emperor
Race 5:
Jeepers, certainly not a sparkling assemblage for this distance feature. (A reminder that this was won last year by Cox Plate contestant Master of Wine.) Speed supplied by the 9 I imagine. GIRL TUESDAY looks to break a bit of a drought; she has placed twice from her last 13 starts. Arguably has best recent form of any of these though so a case can be made. RONDINELLA doesn’t seem to be matching her 2019 form but this is certainly the most suitable race she’s had a go at this prep. Still, she’s not exactly the kind you can be super confident about (she is winless from her latest 17 starts over 20 months).
Selections: 3. Girl Tuesday (top tip), 2. Rondinella, 4. Djukon, 6. Naval Warfare
Race 6:
The ‘feature’ of the day but in fact this is a race that?s still finding its feet and finding its place. Still, $1M on offer! PELTZER is 3 from 3 when he has led at Randwick so presume that’s the plan again. 4 to cross in handy and then 3 and 9 can be close-up from low draws. Not as confident as a fortnight ago but prepared to be with PELTZER again. PRIME STAR made up a heap of ground on him a fortnight ago and that was when jumping from 1200m to 1500m. After a Heavy track flop 1st-up he has raised his game and this is now very much within his scope. ACROPHOBIC was not far away from the pair of them either so he has to enter into conversations. There was a lot to like about what ELIZABEEL did last week. Quick backup OK?
Selections: 1. Peltzer (top tip), 9. Elizabeel, 2. Prime Star, 3. Acrophobic
Race 7:
Solid speed from two up top that revert in distance – 12 and 1. 7 can try her hand from out wider but runs the risk of working hard. Speed genuine at the very least? JEN RULES showed last start that hr return was no fluke and she can set up well here. ATHIRI has announced herself as ‘back’ with two rock-solid BM88 wins at the track and trip. This suits nicely for her return to stakes racing (in which her record stands at 9 attempts for 9 top 5 finishes). BLAZING MISS from even lower grade but she maintained her solid fresh record here a fortnight ago. She’s now won her latest three here and her 2nd-up record has me respecting her, even at this level.
Selections: 4. Jen Rules (tip tips), 3. Evalina, 6. Wandabaa, 2. Sweet Deal
Race 1: Socialist (17.00, 4.60) (each way)
Race 3: On The Lead
Race 5: Scarlet Dream
Race 6: Elizabeel
Race 7: Sweet Deal
Quaddie: 1,9/2,4,8,10/1,3,6,12/11,12,13