16/2/2024 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Moonee Valley

5 Ceremonius (Bet Now:  $SP.00) on top in what looks a two horse race to start the meeting. This guy ran two weeks ago over 1500m here where he did early work to land on speed and he fought hard but couldn’t quite see it through when second to Belle Inferno. Tricky map again but hard fit, will press forward and the form around him is strong.

8 Limburg (Bet Now:  $SP.00) has the runs on the board to give this a shake. Team Hawkes trained three year old that was down the track in the Caulfield Guineas. Spelled and resumed at the midweeks at Sandown when attempting to lead throughout and giving a strong kick but couldn’t quite get the win when run down late by Et Tu Brute. Like him up in trip and with a good run from the gate, he’ll be around the mark.

6 Dragoon (Bet Now:  $SP.00) has been solid in his six start career and is a must for multiples. He has been runner up his past two, two back being at Cranbourne before going to Sandown where he tried his guts out but had no answers late for Hard To Chat. Not sure he has the quality to beat the first two but he is a must for exotics.

2 Vilnius (Bet Now:  $SP.00) looks extremely hard to beat. Strong maiden winner two back at Geelong before going to Sandown last time where he was very stiff not to be in the finish. He got badly held up behind the speed and pretty much went around like it was a barrier trial so forgive and forget the run. If he gets clear air this time around, I think he’ll take beating against these.

3 French Flirt (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is racing in a purple patch for Robbie Laing and rates as one of the key chances. Should have won two back over the mile at Pakenham before backing up a week later at the same track/distance where Williams gave her early room and she made a mess of them. Tricky draw but should press forward and be a key threat.

7 Oh No George (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is one I could include for wider exotics. He needed the run fresh at Sale before going to Wodonga where he got back off the speed and kept finding the line without threatening in a solid effort. Can he win? I am saying no, but he could certainly pinch a first four spot at a big price given the depth is very thin.

5 Henry’s Blade (Bet Now:  $SP.00) seems a big price here I feel. Team Hayes trained gelding that is on debut. He trialled at Echcua last Tuesday where he got back off the speed and under light riding, he lengthened very well and moved with purpose to my eye. He will appreciate further I am sure but I think he has an engine under the hood and will be strong at the end.

10 Happy Link (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a daughter of Toronado for Greg Eurell. She is on debut off solid jumpout work at Cranbourne, the latest being a win over 1000m when asked for an effort but responded well to win and ran okay time. Gets J Kah and should lob into a beaut spot from the inside gate. Likeable.

9 Dougie’s Dream (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a knockout hope. Heath Chalmers trained mare that has been runner up her past couple, two back being over 1200m at Geelong before going to 1100m at Kyneton where she tried her guts out but couldn’t quite finish the job. Not sure I could back her to win but she is a must for exotics.

7 Who Shot Suzy (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is worth a throw at the stumps in what I feel is a very open race. Simon Zahra trained mare that comes here with fresh legs, having not raced since Jan 20 when down the straight at Flemington and I thought she was far from disgraced in defeat behind the very much in form Mornington Glory. Back to a fast 955m and back a fair bit in depth/grade, she’s worth an each way ticket.

5 End Journey (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a very interesting runner. Briedoake/Jenkins trained mare that resumes, having not raced since May 27 when producing an end of prep run when down the track behind Flying On A Limb. Two jumpouts this time in to get ready for her return, including a second to Blue Diamond contender Coleman, so it does read well for this. Market will be key.

8 Frose (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is capable with her best. First run for Jamie Barry came two weeks back at this track/distance when wide no cover on speed and just felt the pinch late behind Satin And Silk. Gets the 3kg claim again and if she gets a more economical run in transit, she can threaten at a big price.

1 Dubai Moon… (Bet Now:  $SP.00) what an absolute find he has been. Four on the bounce and each win, he’s been dominant, the last two over 2500m at Pakenham. He has a jump/run style and that is suited here to The Valley. 3kg claim for Molloy, a strong rider, he’ll get stuck into this horse and I think he’ll just keep running.

3 Untethered (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is knocking on the door to win but he just keeps finding one better. That was the case on Australia Day at Caulfield. He looked the winner 400m out but couldn’t quite see it through when a narrow second to Speranzoso. I don’t think 2500m will be an issue and the way he’s racing, surely a win is near.

2 Mr Blackwood (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is two weeks between runs for Cindy Alderson since racing over this track/distance where he ran an improved race but he was safely held late in the piece when fourth to a progressive type, Unusual Pearl. Gets in really well after the claim and his best is good enough to be dangerous.

2 Eight Martinis (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is in a purple patch and I see no reason to jump off him. Ciaron Maher trained gelding that has won two on the bounce, winning the maiden at Warrnamboo two back before giving them a spanking under the lights at Pakenham last time. Maps perfect and this isn’t a deep 64 so for mine, I am confident he can measure up.

4 Staunch (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is racing well for Matt Laurie and is around the mark of late. He ran a fortnight back at this track/distance when held up at times but eventually got clear and worked to the line well when third to Musgrave. Shinn sticks and if the breaks go his way, he can definitely threaten.

5 Cours Vite (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is third up from a spell and should just about be at peak fitness. Didn’t do a bad job fresh at Sale before going to Pakenham where they rode him with intent and it didn’t work out, feeling the pinch late in the piece behind The Claimant. From gate one, he’ll do no work in the run and third up, should be hard fit.

8 Scream (Bet Now:  $SP.00) each way for me. Team Yargi trained mare that has been solid since joining the new stable. She comes here with fresh legs, having not raced since Jan 20 down the straight at Flemington when down the track behind Mornington Glory. Tick over trial was good, maps ideally and gets Blinkers first time.

5 Midnight Devil (Bet Now:  $SP.00) has great early toe and with that, he is very well suited in this kind of race. Sustained speed came to the fore when leading throughout and gapping his rivals to win impressively over 1100m at Sale. He is a short course animal that will likely lead and take running down.

4 Smuggler’s Bay (Bet Now:  $SP.00) creates some level of interest. Formerly with John Nisbet, he now finds himself with Craig Weeding. He hasn’t raced since Dec 29 at Canberra when down the track behind Secret Revolution after sitting wide no cover. With the new stable and I thought his trial win last week at Echuca was very sharp. Knockout hope.

11 Catahoula (Bet Now:  $SP.00) will do me in the get out. Team Hawkes trained filly that resumed over 1000m at Sandown on Jan 24 where she got into a decent spot near the speed and tried her guts out but was no match late for the finale of the handy mare Tanto. Maps ideally, suited up to 1200m and seems to have found a very winnable race IMO.

8 Dark Journey (Bet Now:  $SP.00) will land on the bunny and prove hard to get past. This guy was backed with confidence when racing a fortnight back at this track/distance, leading throughout and was strong to the line in winning. Gets Craig Williams aboard, he likely leads this field up and will take running down.

1 Lumber Punk (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a good honest campaigner for Team Corstens. He sat on a decent speed over 1200m at Sale last time out and tried his guts out but had no answers for the finale of Show Some Decorum. The depth here isn’t as deep, he has a good racing style and gets in well after the claim. One for exotics.

BEST BET: Race Two Number 2 Vilinus

NEXT BEST: Race Five Number 1 Dubai Moon

LONG SHOT: Race Three Number 5 Henry’s Blade

Quaddie (Races Five Through To Eight):

Leg One: 1

Leg Two: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7

Leg Three: 4, 5, 8, 9

Leg Four: 1, 8, 9, 11

$50 Investment = 62.50% of the dividend if successful.

Bookmaker	Why Bet	Sign Up	Full Review
	Back Yourself with Ladbrokes!	Join	Review
	Back a Winner with Neds!	Join	Review
	Sign up to Palmerbet and start betting in minutes!	Join	Review
	Sign up to swiftbet and start betting in minutes!	Join	Review
	Sign up to Unibet and start betting in minutes!	Join	Review
	Sign up to Dabble and start betting in minutes!	Join	Review
	Sign up to MyBet and start betting in minutes!	Join	Review