What better way to round out a massive 2024 than a ten-race card at The Valley this Saturday!
We’ve cast our eye over the form and provided our best bets for each race below.
Galilaeus (6) was very good when resuming over 2500m here last start considering the circumstances.
The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained gelding had four trials leading into the race so he had a good level of fitness, but nothing could have prepared for him when the speed went on 800m from home.
Despite that, he fought gamely to finish second by a nose with third five lengths away.
He’ll have taken benefit from the hit out and meets the winner better at the weights.
1 Unit – Galilaeus (6)
A weaker person would throw their hands in the air and say “no bet” when confronted by this two-year-old race where 75% of the field is on debut.
There’s no fun in that so after watching jump out replays of every horse, I’m happy to support Field Of Play (3).
The Busuttin & Young-trained Deep Field gelding has had five jump outs and trials dating back to September, so he is well and truly ready to go to the races.
I was particularly taken by his most recent jump out where he cruised around in front to win narrowly with the second horse being pushed to keep up.
The booking of Blake Shinn is a good indicator of the stable’s thoughts on his chances.
1 Unit Each Way – Field Of Play (3)
Boltsaver (6) will appreciate rising in this distance after settling too far back over 1200m on the Caulfield Heath track last start.
The four-year-old gelding was excellent two starts back when looping the field on the home turn at Wodonga before letting down powerfully to win the 1300m contest by just under a length.
Most of the jockeys in this race are apprentices so I’m quite happy to have top gun Blake Shinn in the saddle.
With the rise to 1500m, Shinn won’t have to settle as far back and will give his mount a great run from the low draw.
1 Unit – Boltsaver (6)
Princess Que (6) won in fine style over this course and distance last start.
The Simon Zahra-trained filly stacked and racked them in front before booting clear to win easily by 2.3 lengths.
Sweethearted was second that day and subsequently won in impressive fashion at Pakenham last Saturday.
She draws barrier 1 which should see Blake Shinn lead and prove hard to catch.
2 Units – Princess Que (6)
Mytemptation (8) has started his career in great style and is aiming to keep his unbeaten record intact.
The Enver Jusufovic-trained gelding impressed on debut at Bairnsdale when despite racing wide throughout, he let down strongly to win by a length.
He was just as impressive last start when sitting just behind leaders before exploding through the gap when it opened to win over this distance at Caulfield Heath by just under a length.
He has plenty of upside and the tactical speed to allow Craig Williams to find a nice spot in running from the potentially tricky gate.
1 Unit – Mytemptation (8)
Fickle (1) is low flying having won three of her past four races.
The Tom Dabernig-trained proved speedy with 60kg last start on the Caulfield Heath track when winning by a neck.
Two starts over this course and distance in this class she flew out of the barriers to lead before putting her rivals to the sword in an impressive 4.8 length win.
She draws perfectly in barrier 1 which will see Craig Williams be aggressive early to find the front and hopefully run them into the ground.
2 Units – Fickle (1)
Prince Eric (7) won all five of his races last preparation in the UK before being sent to Archie Alexander’s Ballarat stable.
The son of Time Test was heavily backed first-up in the Donald Cup but was in need of the run and finished third.
He was desperately unlucky not to win last start over a mile at Ballarat when held up badly in the straight but once he got clear late, he savaged the line to finish two lengths third.
Deakin suffered the same bad luck in that race and subsequently won in impressive last Saturday at Pakenham.
He has a terrific record over this distance and looks primed third-up.
2 Units – Prince Eric (7)
Howlin’ Rain (3) is racing with great heart and is chasing his third win in a row.
The Colin Alderson-trained gelding proved too strong for subsequent winner King’s Valley two starts ago when winning on the Caulfield Heath track.
Last start he settled well back after drawing the outside barrier at Seymour over this trip before making a long, wide run to race away and win by 2.3 lengths.
There looks to be good speed in the race which should see Tom Stockdale settle off it before running on strong.
1 Unit Each Way – Howlin’ Rain (3)
Fame (5) produced an eye-catching performance when resuming from a 58-week spell last start over 1800m at Caulfield.
The Moody & Coleman-trained gelding settled a long way back and worked strongly to the line to finish 4.9 lengths sixth.
The G1 Queensland Derby runner-up may need another run or two but given his credentials, it’s too hard to let him go around without me at such a big price.
He will appreciate the rise to this distance given he won his only previous start over it at Moe.
1 Unit Each Way – Fame (5)
Apache Song (14) was ultra impressive when winning over this course and distance two starts back.
The four-year-old mare crossed from the outside barrier to lead before giving her rivals the slip at the top of the straight to go clear and win by 4.3 lengths.
She backed that up last start, again over this course and distance, with another strong performance to win despite copping a decent bump entering the straight.
There’s no speed drawn to her inside so Blake Shinn should be able to cross and find the fence.
1 Unit – Apache Song (14)