Blacktype racing returns to Moonee Valley this Saturday, headlined by both the McKenzie Stakes (1200m) and Carlyon Stakes (1000m). The weather is fine, the track is good (4) and the rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.
McKenzie Stakes 🏆: View the Field and Odds for the McKenzie Stakes
Race 1. (12:50) Roll The Dice Racing Plate 1200m
1400m back to 1200m is interesting with 3 Star Spirit (Bet Now: $5.50 TOP ODDS) but she is a hard fit/in form filly who should land in a lovely spot from the gate. That 1400m run came at Flemington two weeks ago when run down late by an in form Sunfall. Back in trip against her own age/sex, she’s a safe option.
1 Zapateo (Bet Now: $4.60 TOP ODDS) is a James Cummings trained filly that is a little query at 1200m but she is hard fit, in form and is proven at the Valley. Proven via her win here three weeks back when given a sweet steer by Olly and she was able to wear them down. That form wasn’t exactly ticked off in the Quezette last Saturday, so that’s a question mark, but stable is flying with their younger gallopers.
4 Decent Raine (Bet Now: $6.00 TOP ODDS) looks to have her share of talent and confident she can measure up. Far from disgraced at blacktype level during the Autumn. Spelled and resumed in an Echuca maiden where she looked a good thing on paper despite the heavy ground and she duly bolted up. The query is 1200m but off that first up win, I think she’ll be fine.
Race 2. (13:25) Dr Sheahan Plate (bm84) 1200m
1 Malicorne (Bet Now: $2.90 TOP ODDS) is a quality mare for Matt Laurie that resumes. This girl had a one run prep during the Adelaide Carnival where she failed to fire a shot in the Tobin Bronze behind Beau Rossa. She’s better than that, been given a good break and has trialled up well to get ready.
2 Pinyin (Bet Now: $5.50 TOP ODDS) is a hard horse to follow and trust with confidence but more often than not is around the mark. That was certainly the case two weeks back down the straight at Flemington and was far from disgraced in defeat behind Miss Albania. If she’s within range on the turn, she’s certainly capable.
No Idea what to do with 4 La Vina (Bet Now: $9.00 TOP ODDS). Lindsey Smith trained mare that is certainly capable if she found somewhere near her best. Just hasn’t really showcased it since the Bool Carnival. Gets in well after the claim and the mini break for her I do like because she races best fresh.
Race 3. (14:05) Stuart Murray (bm90) 1200m
3 Corner Pocket (Bet Now: $2.40 TOP ODDS) is an absolute beauty for Lindsey Smith that is potentially on trial for a Sir Rupert Clarke berth. Has been freshened up since leading throughout to win at Caulfield back on June 26, his sixth win on the bounce. Though he is better suited at 1400m, we’ll get a good guide as to what level he can reach. I think he can win this and better races.
Great to see 4 Front Page (Bet Now: $3.40 TOP ODDS) back at the races. Quality animal that is auditioning for a potential Kosciuszko berth. Hasn’t raced in just under a year when second at Caulfield behind From Within back in September. Has had his issues but a recent Wagga trial win indicates he’s back on track. Watch the market.
6 Ocular (Bet Now: $4.80 TOP ODDS) is on the seven day back up for Shea Eden after racing over 1100m last Saturday at Caulfield when back in the run and while he was never really a threat, liked the way he finished his race off behind Second Slip. Fitter, up in trip and gets significant weight relief.
Race 4. (14:45) Tony Gulliver (bm78) 1600m
9 Petruchio (Bet Now: $4.50 TOP ODDS) has the engine under the hood to beat this lot. Archie Alexander trained gelding that comes here with solid form lines, his latest run a solid fifth from the back behind Barbie’s Fox at Sandown. In an even race, I think he has the ability to take this out.
2 Floating Artist (Bet Now: $19.00 TOP ODDS) is one I do like. Brought over from the UK with him some solid form. Australian debut came over 1400m at Caulfield and I didn’t think he was too bad behind the very much in form King Magnus. Might need one or two more, but at a big price, I can entertain him as a first four threat.
1 Scarlet Tufty (Bet Now: $13.00 TOP ODDS) should be suited up to the mile after his Australian debut, which came a few weeks back at Caulfield over 1400m in a 78 race. It was more or less a barrier trial for him given he was first up, but didn’t mind the way he finished his race off. Not sure he wins, but one for multiples.
Race 5. (15:25) Ladbroke It (bm78) 2500m
13 Just As Soon (Bet Now: $11.00) is getting better with racing and time. Team Freedman trained Japanese bred mare that has taken a little while to find her feet in Australia but she is flying this time in, winning 2/2 and each time she has been dominant. No reason why she can’t win again.
1 Smokin’ Romans (Bet Now: $2.00) should prove hard to beat here for the Maher/Eustace camp. Strong win three weeks back at this track/distance under a lovely ride from Jamie Kah, who lobbed him into a lovely spot behind the speed and finished best to get the job done. He can win again.
9 Reflect The Stars (Bet Now: $6.00) is a Danny O’Brien trained mare who is only fourth up here, so you’d like to think there is upside and improvement still in the locker. Ran in the VOBIS Gold Stayers at Caulfield several weeks ago. Thought it was a peach steer by Williams and she did all bar win when beaten narrowly by Royal Crown. She’s racing well and is a key chance.
Race 6. (16:05) Mckenzie Stakes 1200m
1 Jigsaw (Bet Now: $2.70) is a query at 1200m, but he might just have the brilliance and race fitness to overcome it. On face value, he seemed to have every chance when racing here three weeks ago on speed when a close up third to Rock Artist. If he leads and gets control, then the 1200m should be no issue and he becomes the one to beat.
4 Hilal (Bet Now: $2.40) is a quality colt for Team Hawkes that resumes. This guy has the runs on the board given he placed in both the Sires and Champagne during the Autumn, so class will carry him a long way you’d assume, and his trials in Sydney to get ready have been quite good.
6 Athelric (Bet Now: $10.00) is an obvious watch. James Cummings three year old that resumes after a three run Autumn prep, which included a resumption at Randwick when fourth to subsequent Slipper winner Stay Inside. Trialled well leading and stable is flying with their youngsters at the moment.
Race 7. (16:40) Ranvet Hcp 2040m
6 High Emocean (Bet Now: $6.00) should love the rise to 2040m. This mare resumed over the mile here three weeks back and couldn’t exactly quicken when asked but stayed on and was good late behind Hi Stranger, who won last Saturday, so the form reads well, up in trip is a big tick and she’ll love a bit of juice in the ground if the rain arrives.
3 Grand Promenade (Bet Now: $4.00) kicks off a potential Melbourne Cup prep. It’ll be interesting to see if the Maher/Eustace team can produce another Persan that goes through his grades and measure up on the first Tuesday in November. Is Grand Promenade that horse? Not sure, but he’s very good and is hard to beat at this level.
10 Starcaster (Bet Now: $9.00) should be suited up in trip for the Freedman camp. Resumed over the mile here three weeks ago behind Hi Stranger where he had the suck run behind the speed and battled on well to be beaten not that far. Better suited at this distance range and is a knockout hope.
Race 8. (17:15) Carlyon Stakes 1000m
6 Ballistic Lover (Bet Now: $4.00) for me. Joe Pride trained mare that races best when she is on the bunny and rolling, which is what the set up should be for her here given she draws an inside and has Lane steering. Last bit will test but I am thinking a dry deck, on speed will be an A1 spot to be.
1 Ancestry (Bet Now: $3.60) is a beauty and saves his best for here. He brings his best, he wins. Sharp sprinter for Phillip Stokes that resumes and the set up here looks ideal, where he can jump on the bunny and run, which is his sweet spot, the jump/run and sustained speed set up. Hard to beat.
5 Express Pass (Bet Now: $12.00) is racing really well this time in for Nick Ryan and is hard to beat. He ran down the straight at Flemington several weeks ago where the market took a set against him given he wasn’t getting weight relief despite rising in grade and the fluc against was proven correct when a flat fifth, beaten three lengths. He can bounce back now he has weight relief.
Race 9. (17:45) Cox Plate Multi Membership Hcp 1500m
11 Degraves (Bet Now: $2.25) looks an exciting prospect for the Williams camp and confident he can make it 2/2. Their runners are flying since Rob Hickmott has taken over training again. Made his Australian debut at Flemington where he produced an electric turn of foot when asked but wanted to veer in under pressure and almost threw the race away. He won but the improvement he has is enormous, and on the minimum, he’ll take a power of beating.
8 Biometric (Bet Now: $15.00) is a very genuine horse for Team Hayes that should be around the mark. Loomed to win at Flemington last time. Just couldn’t quite get there when fourth to Groundswell. Was coming back in trip so rising back up in distance and fitter, he appeals for sure.
Fitter and up in trip I do like for 10 Winning Partner (Bet Now: $31.00). Team McEvoy gelding that resumed over 1400m two weeks back at Flemington. He was never really a winning threat, but liked the way he finished his race off behind Groundswell. If he’s within range on the turn, he’s good enough.
Best Bets & Quaddie Tips
BEST BET: Race Three Number 3 Corner Pocket
NEXT BEST: Race Nine Number 11 Degraves
LONG SHOT: Race Five Number 13 Just As Soon
Quaddie Tips (Races Six Through To Nine):
Leg One: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Leg Two: 3, 6, 9, 10
Leg Three: 1, 5, 6, 9
Leg Four: 11
$50 Investment = 62.50% of the dividend if successful
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