Friday Night Lights at The Valley is back, with eight races set to be run and won this week.
I’ve run the rule over the lot, and you can find my complete Moonee Valley tips below.
Race 1 - 6:15pm AEDT
The Road To Jericho (3800m)
We kick off with a big staying test over the 3800m and I thought that Astradeel was intriguing runner first-up from a spell.
Astradeel raced consistently over in New Zealand last time in and was last seen winning over 2000m at Riccarton.
He’s had a recent trial and I’m keen to see him fresh over the long trip.
1 Unit E/W Astradeel
Race 2 - 6:45pm AEDT
Hygain Tracktorque Plate (1200m)
Telescope turned in a nice performance to finish second when resuming and can go one better at The Valley.
The Zoustar mare was a consistent performer without breaking her maiden last time in, and I thought that her fresh run this time hinted at improvement.
She strips fitter for it, and we can have an each way play at current odds ($8 at publish).
1 Unit E/W Telescope
Race 3 - 7:15pm AEDT
30XY Group Handicap (1600m)
Savvyrocker is third-up and primed for a big effort at The Valley this week.
The Shamus Award filly didn’t beat a runner home over 1200m at Caulfield when resuming, but she turned in an improved effort down at Bendigo last time out.
She’ll take further improvement for that hit-out and will relish getting further out in trip this week.
2 Units Savvyrocker
Race 4 - 7:45pm AEDT
MPE Group Handicap (2040m)
Autumn Storm was a touch disappointing last time out, but I’m happy to give him another chance at The Valley.
To be fair, he didn’t enjoy the best of luck in running in the race at Flemington, and his form prior to that was excellent, including consecutive victories in maiden and BM70 company.
He’s hard fit and with luck from the rails draw, something like this looks well within his abilities.
2 Units Autumn Storm
Race 5 - 8:15pm AEDT
Simpson Construction Handicap (1200m)
I thought that this looked a lovely race for Fury.
Fury has raced consistently for Team Hawkes since debuting and returned to action to finish third, though well beaten by Spanish Fox on the Kensington course up at Randwick.
He’s a winner at this point of his preparation previously, he’s drawn a peach under Jordy Childs and I think he’ll win.
3 Units Fury
Race 6 - 8:45pm AEDT
Ranvet Handicap (1000m)
Fickle has returned to the races in smart form this time and rates as a key winning chance again.
The I Am Invincible mare hasn’t finished worse than second in three starts for Tom Dabernig, winning down at the ‘Bool most notably, while she was only just denied in a similar race here last time out.
In peak order and under Craig Williams, she’ll be tough to beat.
3 Units Fickle
Race 7 - 9:15pm AEDT
Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Heat 5 (955m)
This week’s Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Heat could be the most open race on the program, I can make a case for a few of them, but one horse I thought would relish it was Midnight Devil.
He clearly needed his first run back here last month to dust off the cobwebs, but looking back to his last prep, he’s definitely a horse that improves with a run under his belt, and he is a winner here at The Valley importantly.
2 Units E/W Midnight Devil
Race 8 - 9:45pm AEDT
EDSA Group Handicap (1600m)
Inexorable is hard fit and looks well placed to win again.
The Dandino gelding has missed placing twice in ten career starts so far and was last seen filling the minors behind Divine Thoughts right here at The Valley.
The mile this week looks ideal and something like this also looks to be within his abilities.
2 Units Inexorable