It is another Friday night under lights at Moonee Valley before what is a massive week of racing starting tomorrow with Derby Day at Flemington.
Looking to hopefully find a few winners to build into the big day tomorrow. The track is currently rated a Good 4 with a light shower forecasted to come sometime during the early races on the program.
The rail is out five metres for the entire circuit after being in the true position on Manikato Stakes night.
Race 2 Three-year-old Benchmark-64 (1200m) @ 6:00pm
3. Show Some Decorum
Ran a solid race first-up behind Melba Storm and showed last preparation he has ability. The second horse from that race, Twain’s Express, ran second in the Listed Crockett Stakes on Cox Plate Day last Saturday to La Mexicana. His form with from last preparation with a placing to Our Playboy and a fifth to Aidensfield looking particularly appealing in a race like this. Will appreciate the step up to 1200 metres and looks to get a good run from barrier four. Should get every chance to win the race.
Suggested Bet: Back Show Some Decorum to win ($3.50).
Race 4 Benchmark-70 Handicap (2500m) @ 7:00pm
8. Wahine Toa
The best bet of the night for me here. She is a very progressive four-year-old and showed her talent last preparation with a third in the St Leger over 2800 metres as a three-year-old. She has not been anything flash in her two runs this preparation but the step up in trip to the 2500 metres should suit her nicely. This is only career start number six from her but with some race fitness from her two starts this preparation, she should be ready to run a strong 2500 here. She has settled back in the field in her previous two starts but with a lack of speed in the race, coupled with the fact she settled on speed in her terrific St Leger run, it wouldn’t surprise me if they send her forward in this and she should be hard to beat.
Suggested Bet: Back Wahine Toa to win ($3.80).
Race 6 Fillies and mares Benchmark-70 (1000m) @ 8:00pm
12. Chrome Angel
A strong race with plenty of chances here over the 1000 metres but Chrome Angel looks well over the odds here first-up. She ran in some strong form races as a two-year-old including her debut win at Bendigo over the 1000m where she beat the likes of Hickok and Our Playboy in that race. She was ordinary in the Showdown over 1200m but then bounced back by winning over 1000m at Warrnambool. She looks to have come back well and is well drawn for this. Solid each way chance.
Suggested Bet: Back Chrome Angel each way ($11 win, $3.30 place).
Race 7 Benchmark-70 (2040m) @ 8:30pm
2. Chuck A Luck
Looks a nice race for Chuck A Luck to return to winning ways. Looks to get a perfect run in the race from the draw so he should get every opportunity to be in the finish from where he is drawn. He was narrowly beaten last start by Hunboshi at Moe over the 2050 metres but should derive plenty of benefit from that run into this. He has fitness on his side and should be able to go close to winning.
Suggested Bet: Back Chuck A Luck to win ($4.40 win).
Race 8 Benchmark-64 (1600m) @ 9:00pm
15. Trodaire
Think this is a nice race for the Lloyd Kennewell-trained three-year-old. He steps right back in grade after contesting the Group 3 Neds Classic last start over 2000 metres. He was just fair in that race there but stepping back to the mile, which saw him run second to Tanker at this track two starts back, looks to suit him far better. Has plenty of fitness on his side now and looks to be plenty of tempo in the race to bring him into it. Keep an eye on how the track is playing as he will be towards the back but if horses are able to run on from the back, he has a terrific winning chance at the double figure odds.
Suggested Bet: Back Trodaire to each way ($10 win, $3.20 place).
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