Once again we’ll be treated to an exciting eight race program under lights at Moonee Valley this Friday.
The rail will be out 5m for the entire circuit and the track is currently rated a good 4.
We’ve run the rule over each event and our thoughts and selections can be found below.
Just Like Gaby didn’t have the best of luck when kicking off her campaign here a fortnight ago.
Travelling sweetly in the box seat, the runs didn’t present when needed them and she finished off strongly into second but the eventual winner was off and gone.
The first foal from Group 1 winning mare Loving Gaby, she did a few things wrong at her first two outings but there’s no doubting she’s got the ability and given time, she’s come back in fine order.
Barrier three should see her enjoy a cosy run throughout and with even luck, I think she’ll be very hard to beat.
2 units – JUST LIKE GABY
Malletier has shown good improvement in all three runs and the son of Nicconi looks to have a bright future.
He just held his ground to the line when making his debut in very heavy conditions but proved too good on top of the ground at his second start and it was a similar story again last time.
Stepping out in 0-64 at Pakenham at his most recent outing, he travelled outside the leader and always looked to have the race in his keeping.
When asked for an effort in the straight, he let down strongly to pull away and score by three lengths.
He does rise 3.5kgs but over the 1000m I don’t think that’ll be a worry and he gets the services of Blake Shinn, who will do the steering for Tony and Calvin McEvoy.
1 unit – MALLETIER
Takeko is building a tidy record and comes off a very gutsy last start performance.
Over 1200m at Mornington, she was pressed forward off the outside gate and travelled outside the leader, giving a good kick in the straight to go down by only a neck.
With just the six race starts, she’s proven to be honest and looks very progressive.
The low draw will see her afforded a cosy run in transit under Jordan Childs, who stays aboard for Graham Begg.
1 unit – TAKEKO
Oak Hill could not have been more impressive when resuming over this course and distance two weeks ago.
Restrained off the tricky draw, he travelled in the three wide line and when asked to make his move, the Per Incanto gelding produced a brilliant turn of foot to scorch past them and win easily.
A winner of four from eight he’s certainly not short of talent and he is unbeaten in two second up appearances.
Damien Lane stays aboard and from barrier eight I think he can repeat that latest performance.
1 unit – OAK HILL
Speir has just had the three race starts and looks a very smart horse on the rise.
The runner up on debut on the Caufield Heath, he’s since made it back to back wins in dominant fashion over the 1000m.
His maiden win was ultra impressive as he kicked away to score by 2.7 lengths with a further six lengths back to the rest.
The Jack Laing trained gelding doesn’t fly out of the gates but he’s able to muster good early speed and sustain it.
He looks well suited here at the 888m dash and if he can get across early, he should prove hard to run down.
Logan Bates has partnered him in all three outings, he stays aboard and will take 3kg off.
2 units – SPEIR
Tomba failed to fire when sent out as favourite at Flemington last start but I’m happy to stay with him.
With just the four starts the three year old son of Hellbent has shown plenty of natural talent, putting together back to back wins in good style before his latest assignment at headquarters.
He didn’t let down as expected on that occasion and a post race vet exam failed to reveal anything amiss but it was a rise in grade and his first time racing the Melbourne way of going.
He drops back in class and in a positive push, Shinn sticks with him.
1 unit – TOMBA
Stylish has been racing well and looks ready to win.
The daughter of Lonhro has found the line strongly at her past two and with a month since her latest outing the team have kept her up to the mark with an 800m Flemington jump out.
She’s yet to salute over the mile but has been the runner up on three occasions and this looks an ideal race for her.
She drops back in grade and from the wide gate she’ll get back and be charging home late under Blake Shinn.
1 unit – STYLISH
Overactive returned off a nine week let up with a very pleasing effort on the Sandown Lakeside and he will have taken plenty of improvement from it.
Held up in the early part of the straight, he powered through between runners to claim third, beaten only half a length.
Prepared by Anthony and Sam Freedman, the former UK galloper has produced some very encouraging performances since joining the stable and he boasts solid form around him.
He drops back in grade and gets the in-form Jamie Mott to do the steering from barrier three.
1 unit – OVERACTIVE