MOONEE VALLEY FRIDAY NIGHT

RIVERPLATE (STUTT STAKES)

Lightly raced but highly promising three-year-old who is definitely on the Victoria Derby trail. Caught the eye at Te Rapa at his first race day start. Has impressed since landing in Australia.  

DEFIBRILLATE (JAPAN RACING CUP)

Highly promising stayer who did much of his early racing in New Zealand before being sent to Australia. In the hands of the Kiwi born, Paddy Payne, a noted trainer of stayers. His luckless effort at Flemington last time gives him a serious chance. Payne is hoping to win a major country cup, such as Geelong and Bendigo, but the Caulfield Cup could also loom as a realistic option.  

IMPECUNIOUS (STOCKS STAKES)

Had little luck at Flemington last time going up to 1600 metres which should now be ideal and remember it was a placegetter in group one company at Rosehill during the autumn.  

 

SANDOWN SATURDAY AFTERNOON

ELEPHANT (SANDOWN STAKES)

Has taken all before him since landing on the Australian racing scene.  Powered away from his rivals against benchmark 64 horses and then made the quantum leap to group two grade and only just touched off near the post at Moonee Valley. Considering that it was only his sixth race start and first defeat against horses like Superstorm and Sierra Sue, a subsequent group one winner last Saturday, he looms as the bet of the weekend.

SHERWOOD FOREST (COMPANY HANDICAP)

Mystery horse to many Victorians and was friendless in the market at his Victorian debut but while his finishing position was 13^th he was only 3.9 lengths away from the winner. No doubt he needed that run and the extra 100 metres certainly won’t hurt his chances here. 

THE CHOSEN ONE (UNDERWOOD STAKES)

Had plenty of admirers when making his spring debut in the Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley when only .5 of a length behind Superstorm and Rhinoceros. The run would have benefitted him greatly but had he won, some significant bets would have been landed around Australia.  However, on Saturday he runs into arguably Australia’s most gifted racehorse, Zaaki, and may come off second best.  

PROBABEEL (UNDERWOOD STAKES)

Short back-up of seven days and a classy winner at first outing this prep. Faces a rise in trip but expected to be a contender. Will be suited back to WFA and up in distance. Rain is predicted however and Jamie Richards has made it clear that she will not start if the track gets too wet.

JUSTACANTA (TESTA ROSSA STAKES)

Will be huge odds following his battling effort on debut in Australia behind Express Post.  Always last in the running but got past some stragglers over the concluding stages.  He’s a much better horse than that – his chances will be enhanced if the expected rain arrives. Plus he trialled nicely two weeks ago at Cranbourne.

 

ROSEHILL

SWORD OF STATE (HERITAGE STAKES)

Bookmakers have been very wary of this bloke and all of the Richards Stable while in Australia.  His strike rate is extraordinary having won four of his only five race starts in a highly successful career. Dropping in grade here and leading jockey Kieran McEvoy was suitably impressed with his recent Randwick trial. He’s a group one winner in a very winnable race.

ENTRIVIERE (GOLDEN PENDANT)

Lived up to his extraordinary rapts with a conclusive win at Kembla Grange against group two company at his first outing for a 147 days. Will strip a lot fitter here with many ratings experts maintaining that the daughter of Tavistock is the best bet on the star studded program.   

ICEBATH (GOLDEN PENDANT)

Bred in New Zealand and has continued to impress with a narrow defeat in the group one Doncaster Handicap in the autumn. Her two runs to date have been outstanding, she has been set for the Epsom next week but if there is any kink in the Kiwi favourite and an odd drop of rain this mare could turn the tables on the favourite.

 

BEST ON BREEDING – Savabeel 

At Moonee Valley on Friday night we have one of his sons Forgot You taking another sizeable step towards the Victoria Derby. He won with ease at this track last time and if successful will entrench himself in the upper echelon of Derby contenders.  

We have another Savabeel competing in the final race at Moonee Valley the potentially very good Butter Chicken in the Stocks Stakes. Her four starts have been full of merit and will relish the 1600 metres.

And on Saturday one of his daughters, the high class Probabeel could be the horse that could topple the all-conquering Zaaki in the Underwood Stakes. Bookmakers maintain that of the five competitors in the group one event there are only two possible chances, Zaaki and Probabeel. A note of caution is that with rain predicted on Saturday the Richards Stable have made it clear that their quality mare would not start if the track becomes very wet underfoot by race time.