Our Friday night racing preview focuses on the eight-race program run under lights at Moonee Valley this Friday evening with the twilight meet headlined by the Listed Abell Stakes.
The rail will be out 3m 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 expert Moonee Valley racing selections can be found below.
Brave Design made his debut in the Listed Talindert Stakes and will have taken plenty of benefit from the experience.
The Brave Smash colt was hampered upon jumping but travelled nicely up the Flemington straight and showed a good kick to claim third.
He looks well suited here with the slight rise to 1200m and should find this a touch easier.
1 unit – BRAVE DESIGN
Time Lapse comes off a solid effort to finish second over this course and distance and I think he can go one better this time.
The son of I Am Invincible was pressed forward to lead off the inside draw and gave a good kick at the top of the straight but was just collared late by the very smart, Documentary.
He did hold a 3.5 length margin back to third and the form from that race is solid.
Only lightly raced having had the four starts, he has performed well on each occasion and looks very progressive.
Blake Shinn stays aboard and with luck off the wide draw, he’ll be hard to beat.
1 unit – TIME LAPSE
Mr Vivaci kicked off his campaign in style with a commanding nine length victory at Yarra Valley.
The Chris Waller trained gelding made his debut back in August where he finished runner up to the very handy, Federer and was sent to paddock after pulling up lame at the second outing.
He was in a class of his own when resuming over the 1514m, putting up a gap before the turn and extending that margin the further they went.
This is obviously tougher but he strips fitter and looks to have plenty of upside.
Damian Lane jumps aboard and is sure to afford him every chance.
1 unit – MR VIVACI
Shezavixen was only run down late when stepping out to 2100m off an eight week let up and she will have taken improvement from the run.
She won well over 1856m at Kyneton back in December and given a freshen up with just the one 1200m trial in between, she gave a good kick last start on the Lakeside and did well to stick on for third, beaten just 1.5 lengths.
A daughter of Foxwedge, out of a staying mare, she has continued to improve as she’s stepped out over the longer trips and with the added fitness, she looks ideally placed here.
Mark Zahra stays in the saddle for Robbie Griffiths and gate two can see her take up the running and give them something to catch.
1 unit – SHEZAVIXEN
Justaboom strips fitter for the two runs back and looks ready to peak out to this trip.
The daughter of Justify was very good first up off a lengthy break, kicking strongly over the 1400m at Pakenham to claim third.
Second up, she finished off well but looked as though she’d appreciate stepping out over more ground.
With nine race starts she’s put together a tidy record and didn’t have the best of luck when contesting tougher races towards of the end of her last campaign.
She looks to have come back in good order under new trainer Ciaron Maher and Mark Zahra will take the mount.
1 unit – JUSTABOOM
Trapeze Warrior comes off a strong win over 1000m here and will have his first try at 955m.
Settling outside the leader, he found himself in front as they approached the turn and gave a strong kick in the straight to score by over a length.
The four year old son of Trapeze Artist has also shown good ability and he boasts solid form around him.
The slight step back to 955m looks ideal and gate five should see him receive every chance under Tom Stockdale.
1 unit – TRAPEZE WARRIOR
Apache Song comes off a terrific last start effort in the Australia Stakes and the mare has really found her niche here over the 1200m.
On the back of three straight victories over this course and distance, she took her place in the Group Two feature and chased hard to finish third behind Schwarz and Steparty under weight for age conditions.
With five weeks since that run, she’s been given a 1200m trial and she gets in nicely here with just 54kgs.
Harry Coffey jumps aboard for Cranbourne trainer Mick Trotter and I think she can collect a deserved stakes victory.
1 unit – APACHE SONG
Just Like Gaby comes off a commanding victory over this track and distance and I think she can go on with it.
She didn’t have the best of luck when kicking off her campaign here but everything went to plan for the Pierata filly last start, as she held the lead and shot away over the final part to score by 4.5 lengths.
Sent to the paddock after her first two outings, she’s come back in fine order and looks to have a bright future.
She’s drawn to receive all the favours from barrier two and whilst this is tougher, she looks more than capable.
1 unit – JUST LIKE GABY