The following is a survey of Australian horse racing tips for Moonee Valley on Friday, September 24. The race card features five Group races. The highlight of the evening is the Group 1 Moir Stakes (Race 7).
More tips will be added as they become available.
Promotions
View bookmaker racing promotions (not available to NSW or WA residents)
Best bets
These often change when the article is updated on Friday.
Race 2: 9. Lombardo and 10. Rainbiel, consider for Quinella
Race 3: 4. Sandy Prince and 1. Mr Mozart
Race 4: 5. Larkspur Run, saving on 6. Seradess and 4. Flying Evelyn, consider for Trifecta
Race 6: 1. Homesman and 3. Defibrillate
Race 7: 11. Profiteer and 3. The Inferno
Moonee Valley
Race 1:
DRAFT DAY (5) Was fighting out the finish when winning last run at Sandown and having second race start. Winning appeal. PORT LOUIS (2) Came on strongly to finish 3rd two runs back at Eagle Farm and possesses very good closing speed. Right in this. MINSK MOMENT (9) Fought on well to win last start at Canterbury but first run back after spell. Likely to get a nice run behind the speed. Trainer has gone for the blinkers on, take note. Worth a ticket. PROWLING (7) Left nothing to chance when winning last start at Cranbourne but facing a stronger class. One for the trifectas and first fours in this race.
Race 2:
LOMBARDO (9) Comprehensive victory when winning last run at Morphettville and expecting to settle positively. Going well this campaign winning 2 from 4 starts. Looks the winner on initial assessment. RAINBIEL (10) Bold effort to win last start at Swan Hill and displays good tactical speed. Honest enough customer who is strongly placed. WHIPCRACKER WAY (7) Second up from a spell. Ran on strongly when 2nd two runs back at Caulfield and gets some weight relief. Has some strong credentials in this race. SNAPPER (12) Having second run back from a break. Looked good when 2nd last time at Sandown and should be going forward early. Meeting a good field and you can take on trust.
Race 3:
SANDY PRINCE (4) Got the cash when winning two runs back at Sandown and will try to take advantage of the alley. Expecting to settle positively. Can go on with it. FORGOT YOU (3) Third up. Bold effort to win last time at this venue but up against stronger competition. Will go well. MR MOZART (1) Game effort to win last start at Flemington but facing a stronger class today. Can’t knock. PRINCE ALEXANDER (6) Solid win last time at Sandown and second up. Should enjoy a cosy run off the pace. No surprise to see a forward showing and one of the main hopes in this race.
Race 4:
LARKSPUR RUN (5) Left nothing to chance when winning three runs back at Canterbury but facing a stronger class today. Cannot underestimate. SERADESS (6) Gave nothing else a chance when winning two runs back at Morphettville and second up. Will be looking to sit just behind the leaders. Warrants a bet. FLYING EVELYN (4) Having third run back from a break. Kept coming when 2nd last run at Flemington but facing a stronger grade today. Ticks plenty of boxes and looks like value. GLISTENING (1) Jumped at $7 and finished just short of 2 1/2L behind the winner at Flemington last start on a good surface but should jump out and bowl along. Key hope.
Race 5:
CURRAN (6) Had a break from racing and returns to competition. Got the prize when winning two runs back at Flemington and goes down in weight. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Could prove hard to beat. ESTA LA ROCA (3) Nice run when 2nd two runs back around here and likely to be well placed early. Been in the money 4 from 5 attempts this preparation. Big chance. STARRY LEGEND (11) Winner two runs back at Bendigo and won’t be far away during the run. Definite claims. YULONG COMMAND (12) Outgunned at the finish when 2nd three runs back at Caulfield and shows good early pace. Blinkers off could be an important change. Up to these.
Race 6:
DEFIBRILLATE (3) Rocketed home into 2nd last time at Flemington and having third run back from a break. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Could pose a threat and expected to go very close. HOMESMAN (1) First up. Did its best work late when 2nd last time at Eagle Farm and dropping in class. No shock to see a win. SECRET BLAZE (8) Bold run when 5th last run at Caulfield and dropping weight today. Always seems to find the line well. Can make a claim. MOUNT POPA (4) Chimed in with a win three runs back at Mornington and third up today. Drawn to sit just in behind the speed. Each way.
Race 7:
PROFITEER (11) Had a comfortable win three runs back at Randwick and displays good tactical speed. Rates well in this race. THE INFERNO (3) Did a good job when winning last start at this course and third up from a break. Should just about get the run of the race. Key player. WILD RULER (2) Really dug deep when winning three runs back at Randwick and second up. Likely to get a nice run behind the speed. Should take beating. SEPTEMBER RUN (5) Kept finding the line when 3rd last run at the track and should be ready to go second up. Might take a while to wind up but should be hitting top gear in the straight. Can threaten if right today.
Race 8:
QUANTUM MECHANIC (1) Second up from a break. Snuck in a place when 3rd two runs back at Randwick. Better claims. BUTTER CHICKEN (12) Having second run back from a break. Was first to greet the judge when winning three runs back at Pakenham and possesses very good closing speed. No surprise to see a forward showing and one of the main hopes in this race. RICH HIPS (2) Looked promising when 5th last start at Flemington and should get going late. Worth a ticket. SO YOU ASSUME (9) Was fighting out the finish when winning last time at Caulfield and displays good tactical speed. Tracking very well this preparation. Expect to go close.
Race 1: Smytzer
Race 2: Lombardo
Race 3: Mr Mozart
Race 4: Seradess
Race 5: Yulong Command
Race 6: Homesman
Race 7: Profiteer
Race 8: Miss Guggenheim
Race 1: 5. Draft Day and 9. Minsk Moment
Race 2: 10. Rainbiel
Race 3: 7. Riverplate and 5. Micro
Race 4: 5. Larkspur Run each-way
Race 5: 11. Starry Legend
Race 6: 4. Mount Popa
Race 7: 2. Wild Ruler each-way
Race 8: 8. Only Words each-way
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 1:
A cracking card to kick off the night racing season. DRAFT DAY was excellent winning on debut, sitting three wide, no cover and still finishing too strongly. The third horse (PROWLING) and the fourth horse both won their next starts, whilst the runner-up was a forgive run in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude last Sat. MINSK MOMENT won a recent Sydney trial by over five lengths, doing so under his own steam. Put away after an impressive debut win back in June. HE’S XCEPTIONAL finished over the top of Jigsaw in a listed race here two back. PORT LOUIS was competitive two-year-old Group 1 races at the end of last prep. His horror run at the barrier draw continues.
Selections: 5. Draft Day (Top Tip), 9. Minsk Moment, 2. Port Louis, 1. He’s Xceptional
Race 2:
RAINBIEL did all that she needed to do to win first up at Swan Hill. Only rises to a BM84 here and with a touch of luck from the draw, I imagine she’ll be hard to beat again. A bad gate did cost her in a Group 3 Typhoon Tracy here last autumn when narrowly beaten by Macroura, which is absolutely nothing to scoff at. LOMBARDO has plenty of speed and he’ll likely take up the running from the good gate and with just 52.5kg on his back. The last start win was arrogant. FRONT PAGE has plenty of class. This is the weakest race he’s seen in some time. WHIPCRACKER WAY is a very good 1200m horse. SNAPPER impressed in his two MV 1200m starts last prep.
Selections: 10. Rainbiel (Top Tip), 9. Lombardo, 1. Front Page, 7. Whipcracker Way
Race 3:
RIVERPLATE was enormous first up, running the quickest last 600/400/200 of the race to just miss winner Draft Day. As referenced in R1 write-up, that has been a hot form race. He’s on the quick back-up after enjoying little luck in the Guineas Prelude last week. The 1600m looks perfect now for last start winner MICRO. He gave them a hiding there. He’s stakes placed behind Lightsaber. FORGOT YOU jumped out of the ground and ran past SANDY PRINCE here last start. Both were very good, but the latter was huge considering he worked early to lead and was the only survivor of the one-pace runners. Hard to ignore MR MOZART holding off Artorius last start. Can he run out a strong 1600m?
Selections: 7. Riverplate (Top Tip), 5. Micro, 4. Sandy Prince, 1. Mr Mozart
Race 4:
LARKSPUR RUN was no match for the unbeaten Zouzarella in the Atlantic Jewel Stakes but there was plenty to like about the Godolphin filly’s performance. She was well back and had to track five wide on the turn but kept coming all the way to the line. Had the benefit of seeing The Valley now and a favourable draw this time around will aid her cause. FLYING EVELYN was a touch unlucky down the straight last start. GLISTENING lost her spot and had to essentially start her run again in that same race. She was strong through the line. SERADESS is already a stakes winner. DECENT RAINE a knockout hope.
Selections: 5. Larkspur Run (Top Tip), 1. Glistening, 4. Flying Evelyn, 9. Decent Raine
Race 5:
These 955m races look the perfect set-up for the speedy STARRY LEGEND. His two wins over 1000m last time in were impressive visually and on the clock. He split Profiteer and I’m Thunderstruck in a recent Caulfield jumpout. ESTA LA ROCA has contested black type races in her past three and managed a top four finish each time. Well in at the weights after the Josh Richards claim. FINE DANE held his own in a hot Group 2 McEwen last start. Loved the fight he showed winning two back. Smaller chances given to CURRAN, METEORITE and recent jumpout winner AQUAGIRL.
Selections: 11. Starry Legend (Top Tip), 3. Esta La Roca, 2. Fine Dane, 6. Curran
Race 6:
MOUNT POPA has built fitness so far this prep with two decent efforts in WFA Group 1 races over distances short of his best. When he rose to 2000m last prep, he lowered the colours of the then very much in-form Sacramento. Drops from 59kg to 56.5kg. DEFIBRILLATE was very good with the big impost last start. Ready to peak third up where he tackles his favoured trip. HOMESMAN is the class. This year’s Australian Cup winner boasts a strong first up record and races well here. DJUKON has no luck here fresh.
Selections: 4. Mount Popa (Top Tip), 3. Defibrillate, 1. Homesman, 11. Djukon
Race 7:
WILD RULER was no match for a dominant Nature Strip first up, but he held his position to the line in what was a pleasing performance. His best is right up to these and I’m convinced he is a Group 1 winner in waiting. SEPTEMBER RUN recorded the fastest last 400m/200m of the day when rocketing home in the McEwen. A slight query staying at 1000m, but her two MV runs have been excellent. THE INFERNO won that McEwen Stakes impressively, racing right by PORTLAND SKY, who was first up there and will take plenty of benefit from the run. The latter ran a ripping race in the William Reid here during the autumn. BALLISTIC LOVER was a strong winner over this route first up. PROFITEER with just 52kg has to warrant respect as well.
Selections: 2. Wild Ruler (Top Tip), 5. September Run, 4. Portland Sky, 3. The Inferno
Race 8:
Like a few of these, ONLY WORDS resumed in the Lets Elope at Flemington but was unable to get clear for the majority of the straight. Despite this, she ran home well and looks set for a fruitful campaign. I don’t think 1600m is too sharp for her and if the rain hits, that will only enhance her chances. BUTTER CHICKEN trialled very well prior to the fresh run in the Lets Elope where she too didn’t get much luck. Her second up win over this trip last prep was dominant. SO YOU ASSUME found the front here two back and thrashed them before winning again at Caulfield. She’s up to this level. QUANTUM MECHANIC won a Group 2 WFA race here in the autumn.
Selections: 8. Only Words (Top Tip), 12. Butter Chicken, 9. So You Assume, 1. Quantum Mechanic
Race 6: 1. Homesman
Race 7: 11. Profiteer
Quaddie: 3,6,9,10,11,12/1,3,6/11/1,2,8,9,11,12
Race 1:
6. Fire, 5. Draft Day,2. Port Louis, 9. Minsk Moment, 7. Prowling
Race 2:
9. Lombardo, 10. Rainbiel, 12. Snapper, 7. Whipcracker Way, 1. Front Page
Race 3:
4. Sandy Prince, 3. Forgot You, 6. Prince Alexander, 1. Mr Mozart, 7. Riverplate
Race 4:
5. Larkspur Run, 10. Morning Melody, 1. Glistening, 6. Seradess, 4. Flying Evelyn
Race 5:
6. Curran, 3. Esta La Roca, 12. Yulong Command, 9. Meteorite, 7. Destination
Race 6:
3. Defibrillate, 1. Homesman, 8. Secret Blaze, 6. Inverloch, 4. Mount Popa
Race 7:
3. The Inferno, 2. Wild Ruler, 11. Profiteer, 5. September Run, 4. Portland Sky
Race 8:
11. Impecunious, 8. Only Words, 12. Butter Chicken, 9. So You Assume
Race 1:
7. Prowling, 6. Fire, 10. Hardware Lane, 1. He’s Xceptional
Race 2:
10. Rainbiel, 9. Lombardo, 7. Whipcracker Way, 2. Not to Be Mist
Race 3:
4. Sandy Prince, 6. Prince Alexander, 1. Mr Mozart, 3. Forgot You
Race 4:
4. Flying Evelyn, 5. Larkspur Run, 2. Nice For What, 1. Glistening
Race 5:
6. Curran, 12. Yulong Command, 8. Leiter, 2. Fine Dane
Race 6:
3. Defibrillate, 1. Homesman, 8. Secret Blaze, 11. Djukon
Race 7:
3. The Inferno, 5. September Run, 2. Wild Ruler, 11. Profiteer
Race 8:
1. Quantum Mechanic, 12. Butter Chicken, 2. Rich Hips, 8. Only Words