The Group 2 Australia Stakes will headline an eight race program this Friday night at Moonee Valley.

The track is currently rated a good 4 and the rail will remain in the true position. 

We’ve had a close look at all events on the card and our thoughts can be found below.

Race 1 - 6:15pm AEDT

HYGAIN TRACKTORQUE HANDICAP BM64 3YO (1000 METRES)

La Vie En could not have been more impressive when saluting at Warrnambool on New Years Eve and she looks to have a bright future.

Having just her second race start, the Blue Point filly was resuming over 1100m and after settling just off the leader she gave a good kick in the straight to power away and score by three lengths, eased down.  

The form from that race is stacking up nicely with both placegetters having since gone on to win.

Fred Kersley stays aboard and barrier three should see her afforded every chance.   

1 unit – LA VIE EN

Race 2 - 6:45pm AEDT

ASCEND SALES TROPHIES MAIDEN PLATE SW (1000 METRES)

Just Like Gaby returns to the races.

The first foal from Group 1 winning mare Loving Gaby did a few things wrong at her first two outings but there’s no doubting she’s got the ability.

Making her debut down the Flemington straight, she just wanted to race a bit keen and was very green but stuck on strongly to finish a close fourth behind subsequent Danehill Stakes winner First Settler.

She then stepped out in the Quezette Stakes and just wanted to overdo it in behind them and it tolled late. 

Given time, she comes here off two very pleasing jump outs and barrier four should see her afforded every chance under Tom Stockdale, who takes the mount for Ciaron Maher. 

2 units – JUST LIKE GABY

Race 3 - 7:15pm AEDT

PIPER HEIDSIECK HANDICAP BM70 (3000 METRES) 

Galilaeus has finished off nicely in two runs this preparation and looks ready to peak as his third start back.

A son of Galileo, the gelding went down narrowly when resuming over 2500m here and straight up to 3000m last time, he got back off the wide gate and made up good ground to finish fourth.

The Anthony and Sam Freedman trained galloper began his career in the UK and with the thirteen starts to date, he looks an improving type.

Jamie Mott has partnered him in both outings this time and will again to the steering.    

2 units – GALILAEUS

Race 4 - 7:45pm AEDT

CHANDLER MACLEOD HANDICAP BM70 (2040 METRES)

Make It Sweet has been racing well, placing in three of her past four starts and she looks nicely placed here with the slight drop back in grade.

Beaten only half a length after leading over 1800m on the Caulfield Heath two runs back, she was unlucky last time after settling in the box seat at Mornington.

The Fiorente mare is hard fit, she gets in nicely with the 3kg claim for in-form apprentice Logan Bates and if she can slot in off the wide gate, she’s sure to be strong late. 

1 unit – MAKE IT SWEET

Race 5 - 8:15pm AEDT

SIMPSON CONSTRUCTION HANDICAP BM64 (2040 METRES)

Haaland has been racing well and lines up here off an eight week let up.

The son of Pentire didn’t enjoy the best of runs two starts back and then stepped out over 2500m here where he fought gamely over the final part but just found one better on the night. 

He has been placed in all three appearances around the Valley and with the break between runs, the drop back in trip looks ideal.

Damian Lane goes onboard for Robert Hickmott and the low draw should see him afforded a cosy run throughout.

1 unit – HAALAND

Race 6 - 8:45pm AEDT

LADBROKES 55 SECOND CHALLENGE - HEAT 10 BM70 HANDICAP (955 METRES)

Big Me kicked off his campaign with a commanding victory over 1000m at Bendigo but has been luckless in two subsequent runs.

Held up at a vital stage over this course and distance he chased hard into second and last start he knuckled badly out of the gates and powered home late down the Flemington straight.

The gelding has been the runner up in both starts and Mark Zahra will do the steering from gate two.

1 unit – BIG ME

Race 7 - 9:15pm AEDT

CLAMMS SEAFOOD AUSTRALIA STAKES GROUP 2 WFA (1200 METRES)

Southport Tycoon makes his return to the races.

The dual Group One winner has just had the two starts around the Valley and he certainly thrives here.

He was only beaten a head in this race twelve months ago and who could forget last preparation as he caused an upset when charging through late to get the bob in and take out the Manikato Stakes

A very versatile galloper, the son of Written Tycoon brings the strongest formlines into this event and he gets in beautifully under WFA conditions.

He looks ready to go off two recent jump outs and will be afforded every chance from the low draw under Mark Zahra. 

2 units – SOUTHPORT TYCOON

Race 8 - 9:45pm AEDT

MARTY SYNAN MILE BM70 HANDICAP BM70 (1600 METRES)

Burlington Gate made a very pleasing return to the races and she’s sure to relish the rise in trip.

Over 1400m at Geelong, the daughter of The Autumn Sun got back and once clear, she really hit the line strongly. 

Prepared by Michael Moroney and Glen Thompson, the mare has continued to improve the form around her from last campaign in solid.

The inside draw can see her closer in the run and she gets the services of Blake Shinn.  

1 unit – BURLINGTON GATE