Babylon Berlin is one of the leading contenders in the William Reid Stakes
The night racing season at The Valley wraps up this Friday night, headlined by the Group l William Reid Stakes (1200m).
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 William Reid Stakes.
Market 💰: View the Odds for the William Reid Stakes
2023 William Reid Stakes Speed Map
Looks to be good early pressure here with In The Congo wanting to hold up from the inside gate. Babylon Berlin can be forwardly placed but there is potential for Blake Shinn to land box seat behind In The Congo. Jigsaw and Front Page will want to be near the front as well so I am expecting them to go at a good clip. Imperatriz is drawn tricky so Opie Bosson will need to have a couple of plans in place.
2023 William Reid Stakes Runner Preview:
1 Masked Crusader: Masked Crusader has to be given another look. On paper, he was just fair when resuming in the Oakleigh Plate, but when you break down the race shape and the splits, he was zero chance of figuring in the finish, and actually did a pretty good job under the circumstances behind Uncommon James. He does have class on his side when right and has a big finish.
2 Paulele: Dry track or bust horse that resumed on a soft track and was a tad plain behind Passive Aggressive but that was over 1000m and he’s a much better 1200m horse. Likely will be back near last in the run but will be strong late.
3 King Of Sparta: He’s done a ripping job this time in for Team Snowden. Continued his love affair with the Magic Millions at the Gold Coast with a win in the Sprint before a game fourth in the Oakleigh Plate. Drawn wide, likely dragged back…his task is going to be difficult, but he gets a good speed in front to sit off and finish off nicely.
4 A Case Of You: He would nearly be on top if he drew a decent gate. He brings over elite overseas sprinting form and yes, his form tapered off towards the end, but he was contesting A1 sprint races. Three jumpouts to get ready for the Australian debut and each time he has looked impressive. He’s an absolute must for exotics.
5 In The Congo: They are desperate to get a Group l win with him as an older horse. He was ready to go several weeks ago but they have kept him on ice, waiting for the right race to kick off and it seems like this is the race. Three trials to get ready, he’ll land on speed and if this track is playing like a greyhound track, which can be the case with night meetings, he is dangerous.
6 Front Page: Massive effort in the Newmarket I thought. First up, he was fighting and only really got the staggers towards the end. Big run from him and think he will run well again here, but to my eye, this will top him off for the Town Plate at Wagga where should he head there, he’ll win again.
7 Jigsaw: Jigsaw is an absolute beauty for Cindy Alderson that is unbeaten since being gelded. Sustained speed came to the fore in the Australia Stakes. He led, copped heat and was entitled to knock up and get run down, but gee he was strong to the line in a dominant display, winning again. Is there petrol left in the tank? I’d say yes with the mini break, and with that in mind, he’s hard to beat.
8 Bella Nipotina: Great record at The Valley so a tick she returns here, but she was a bit plain in the Newmarket I thought and connections have openly said her main target is the Quokka at Ascot. Can’t entertain her here.
9 Roch N Horse: She wants the paddock or a mini break to get over her injury prior to the Lightning where she was scratched. Two runs back have been poor and she’s not 100%. Deserving rank outsider.
10 September Run: Won this race 12 months ago…is she going as well this time around? Off the Lightning run, yes. Newmarket run? No. She was poor there, but she does have a liking for this track and has a hungry Nash aboard.
11 Imperatriz: Imperatriz is a gun Kiwi mare for Mark Walker and has the runs on the board to command respect. She looked all over a winner in the Canterbury Stakes and was hailed as the winner, only to be nabbed late by Artorius. Think 1200m is ideal for her, a truly run 1200m as well, and back on a firmer deck, she will take a power of beating.
12 Chain Of Lightning: They have tried her at the top end and for the most part, she just hasn’t measured up. If she was mine, I’d keep her to Group ll company, or potentially freshen her up for a crack at the Sangster, a Group l mares. She is not up to these.
13 Babylon Berlin: I can’t believe Babylon Berlin is just under four times the price of Imperatriz. She is a great each way bet, purely from a price angle. They have tried her at 1400m and while she has been solid, she is much more effective at 1200m. Go back to the Railway three back, where Imperatriz beat her by 0.2L. There wasn’t much between them and this girl gets the perfect map from the gate.
14 Benedetta: Think she will run on Saturday so I am treating her as a scratching here, especially after drawing wide.
2023 William Reid Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
Think Babylon Berlin is big overs so $20 Win/$80 Place on her.
Group l Strategy Outlay: $5050
Group l Strategy Return: $3409.50
2023 William Reid Stakes Odds:
