On a Public holiday down under Nathan Lynch who landed a big winner at Belmont and the Oaks and Derby double previews a big day of action. You can read more from Nathan at From the Horses Mouth.
Big Action at Moonee Valley on Monday..
Moonee Valley R1 No5 Italian Machine (2) – shapes as a race of 2 major seen chances in the form of Italian Machine and Wallinger, leaning is towards Italian Machine who gets a few more favours under the conditions of the race and the way it is likely to play out, it is overly well bred by Testa Rossa out of Coquetry and comes in here having its 3rd start with good scope for natural improvement on the back of finishing 2nd to Queen Oedipus btn 0.1l over 1200m at Caulfield, prior to that it failed at its only other start but in-between those 2 starts won a trial by 6l at Cranbourne over 1190m, it is drawn well here from the 3 alley to go forward and race on pace without working too hard early, the M Valley lay out will suit it down to the ground and should prove hard to hold out in deep stretch after a good trip on pace, being by Testa Rossa the likely soft ground should be no problems for it, it ticks the most boxes here and warrants good strong support.
Moonee Valley R3 No5 Spare A Dime (2) – Spare A Dime comes into this 3000m Open handicap in a real purple patch on the back of winning both of it’s last two start by widening 6l margins, two back it did the deed at Bendigo in $15K C3 company over 2400m hitting the line strongly then showed that was no fluke scoring again by 6l at Sandown in $30K R0MW company over 2400m once again it was still strong on the line, exposed form refs out of that last win give it the clear edge at the weights over the likes of Elmore and Glistening which shape as the two logical main queries, it is well bred by Encosta De Lago out of the former good race mare Smidgin and like many other staying types by this sire seems to get better with age peaking as a 4yo or 5yo, every hope of making it three on end here.
Moonee Valley R4 No4 Eau De Joie (3) – this realistically shapes as a race in 2 between Benjamin Josh and Eau De Joie who both look minor stakes prospects at this stage of their respective careers, leaning is towards Eau De Joie who is now 3rd up from a spell stepping to 1600m on the back of last start finishing 2nd last to Chameleon at Flemington, forget that run and go on its 1st up effort 2 back at Sandown winning by a widening 1.8l over 1200m after tracking leaders with a good trip, the prior and subsequent form through the beaten brigade suggests that race was well above par for the $30K tag, last prep Eau De Joie was also a winner over this track and distance on slow going, the 1st up win this prep suggests it is ready to hit a new career peak and its gets the chance to do that here under very suitable conditions.
You can bet on Moonee Valley and Australian racing on Betfair…Just open an account and get a £25 Free Bet…..
Below is a race at Moonee Valley where you can see the track and what to expect. The Races are Live on At The Race, Sky Channel 415.
