Imperatriz and Cylinder will renew their rivalry in the William Reid Stakes (1200m) this Saturday at Moonee Valley.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 William Reid Stakes.
2024 William Reid Stakes Speed Map
I Am Me, potentially, gets complete control. Queman, Queen Of The Ball, Hypothetical and The Astrologist will go forward too so potentially, the tempo will be quite good. Imperatriz drawn wide…gee that gate makes things tricky for her and she will need luck.
2024 William Reid Stakes Runner Preview:
1. The Astrologist: Sat near a genuine speed in The Newmarket and he stuck on really well in defeat. Far from disgraced in this race two years ago and now he’s found positive form…doubt he wins, but gee he looks a big price.
2. The Inferno: $81+ for him seems crazy. Hasn’t won since arriving from Singapore, but his efforts behind Imperatriz in the Spring were quite good. Jumpout work has been encouraging, he’ll be strong late…similar to The Astrologist. Not sure he wins, but he’s a stupid price.
3. Queman: Was a great story seeing this guy win the Oakleigh Plate but he was blessed with the pattern, the lightweight, and he just got the bob of the head over Hypothetical. WFA, 1200m, on speed pressure…$15 is way, way unders.
4. Johnny Rocker: He is a nice horse but the gate seals his fate and I doubt he runs here.
5. Imperatriz: Imperatriz is a gun mare and if everything is all sweet after the Newmarket, she has this lot covered surely. Her run in the Newmarket was enormous, sitting on speed and was a tad keen. She tried her guts out but had no answers late for Cylinder. Back to WFA, back to her favourite track…good luck beating her.
6. Bella Nipotina: Bella Nipotina is absolutely humming for Ciaron Maher. She has been close up and strong in two runs back, first up in the Lightning before going to the Newmarket where she got just off the speed and worked home without threatening. She does tend to get better as the prep goes on and hard fit, she appeals.
7. I Am Me: I Am Me looks to be absolutely humming for this race I feel. Ciaron Maher trained mare that resumes, having not raced since the Rupert Clarke when near the speed and seemingly had her chance but she stayed on and was sound in defeat behind Magic Time. Trial work leading in has been impressive, notably the latest trial when leading throughout, and I think she’ll be very strong at the end.
8. Queen Of The Ball: Nice mare, talented mare…but not a Group l WFA mare. Pass.
9. Hypothetical: Led and was only nabbed the final stride in the Oakleigh Plate in a blanket finish. 1200m, WFA, pressure in front…she’s just not good enough.
10. Cylinder: It was an arrogant win in the Newmarket, on face value, but I will say he was blessed by the 51.5kg, a 12/10 ride from Kah, and Imperatriz wasn’t 100%. Yes, he has the map in his corner again, but now at WFA and if he gets buried on the fence, it could get ugly.
11. King’s Gambit: Barrier trial star and raceday pretender, as proven in the Oakleigh Plate. 12/10 ride by Kah but he found nothing and was plain. Trial since was good, as is the case with him always, but he’s not a Group l horse.
2024 William Reid Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
Imperatriz the likely winner but she’s too short. I’ll have $50 Place on Bella Nipotina and I Am Me (Mid Tote)
Group l Strategy Outlay: $4275
Group l Strategy Return: $4385
