Our Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights Preview once again focuses on an exciting eight race program under lights at Moonee Valley this Friday.
The rail will be back in the true position and the track is currently rated a good 4.
We’ve run the rule over each event and our thoughts and expert Moonee Valley racing selections can be found below.
Roguery kicked off his campaign with a very encouraging effort over 1400m on the Lakeside and he will have taken plenty of improvement from it.
Settling back off the wide gate the gelding charged home into second behind Sepals, who has since saluted at Group Three level.
He did have a tendency to lay in over the final stages so the near side blinker will go back on and he’ll certainly relish the rise in trip.
Logan Bates stays aboard, he’ll take 3kgs off and gate four can see him settle closer in the run.
1 unit – ROGUERY
Inevitable Award comes of a terrific last start effort at Caulfield and he looks ready to win.
At this fourth run back this campaign, the son of Shamus Award was taken back off the wide gate and finished off strongly into second behind the highly promising Emphasize.
With just the nine race starts, he looks an improving type and he presents here hard fit.
From the wide gate, I expect him to go back and he’ll be doing his best work late.
1 unit – INEVITABLE AWARD
Excels makes her raceday debut and looks ready to go off two impressive jump out wins.
A daughter of Exceed And Excel, the filly caught the eye in a 650m heat at Cranbourne as she cruised to the line with her ears pricked and she was even better again last time over 800m.
Very raw, she looked to find another gear when given a shake up over the last 100m and she won the heat comfortably.
The main concern here is the wide gate but if she can find a spot early without doing too much work, I think she’ll be very strong late.
1 unit – EXCELS
Bold Print has been racing well and looks nicely suited here back in trip.
Beaten by the barest of margins over this course and distance back in November, he then proved superior at his following outing.
He’s just been run down late at his past two starts, both at 1200m, and I think he’ll relish getting back to the 955m here.
Craig Williams jumps aboard the Press Statement gelding for the first time and is sure to afford him every chance.
1 unit – BOLD PRINT
Tonkin could not have been more impressive when saluting here late last month.
Over the 1000m the Blue Point filly jumped straight to the front and never looked in doubt as she kicked away before the turn and went on to post a 4.5 length margin on the line.
It was her second win from as many runs this time in and I think she can make it three straight.
She stays at that same grade, I doubt the 3kg weight rise will worry her and Blake Shinn stays in the saddle for Anthony and Sam Freedman.
2 units – TONKIN
Our Queen remains unbeaten after two starts and the Irish bred mare looks set for bigger and better things.
Sent to the paddock after a dominant debut win at Bendigo, she returned in fine order as she scored a determined win over 1400m on the Lakeside.
Sent forward under Craig Williams, she travelled sweetly and gave a good kick in the straight to hold off any challengers.
With that run under her belt, the rise to the mile looks ideal and I think she’ll be well suited around the Valley.
1 unit – OUR QUEEN
Newfoundland is racing well and comes here on the fresh side with six weeks since his last run.
The former Irish galloper resumed off a lengthy break with a solid effort to finish third, before scoring back to back victories over 2400m back in October.
Runner up over 2800m on Melbourne Cup Day, he was given a let up and has performed very well in two subsequent runs.
Kept up to the mark with a recent 1200m trial, fitness won’t be an issue and he gets in with just 54kgs on his back.
Jamie Melham will do the steering for Gai and Adrian and she can afford him every chance from barrier four.
1 unit – NEWFOUNDLAND
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 boasts solid form around him.
With a month since that last run, he looks well placed staying at the 1200m and with Mark Zahra not riding at the meeting, he gets a suitable replacement in Blake Shinn.
1 unit – OVERACTIVE