Tips » Moonee Valley Dec 1 Selections and Comments by Peter Ellis

Moonee Valley Dec 1 Selections and Comments by Peter Ellis

Sirius Suspect (Brad Rawiller) defeating in-form Superhard at Mornington in September. Image: Racing Photos

Race 1:

  1. Smart Elissim (1)
  2. Behemoth (3)
  3. Mischa (4)

Smart Elissim has been freshened since finding the pace too hot behind Written By in Blue Sapphire. Won two of previous four ands was placed in Group 3 at Randwick.

Behemoth was a certainty beaten when tried over this distance at Gawler and did look sharp scoring first-up at Morphettville.

Mischa has improved this campaign scoring easily at Stawell before again doing it at her leisure in Benchmark  64 1000m this course.

Social Spin (2) spelled after failing at Caulfield in July but did win two of previous three including first-up.

 

Race 2:

No Selections

 

Race 3:

  1. Notation (2)
  2. Our Long Sali (4)
  3. Al Naifa [5]

Notation, on-pacer looked good winning at Geelong [1200m] and Cranbourne then had excuses at Flemington on Cup Day when raced inferior ground.

Our Long Sali, ex-Tasmanian looking for this trip following solid efforts in two starts this prep. Worked home stylishly over 1000m this course then only beaten 2.4len in Group 3 Flemington 1100m.
Al Naifa, stakes placed filly only gathered in final 100m racing solo down in flat rail in Red Roses at Flemington on Oaks Day. Has the speed of offset wide daw.

My Pendant (8) placed in first two starts before dashing maiden victory Lakeside 1200m.

 

Race 4:

  1. Hostar (3)
  2. The Regiment 10]
  3. Second Marriage (12)

Hostar was luckless behind smart gallopers Remember The Name and Mount Kilcoy at Flemington in June and has come back well defeating subsequent winner Okotoks Ballarat 1400m.

The Regiment has the necessary ability but continues to find one better. Appreciate the drop back to 1500m after peaking on run when 4th in Benchmark 70.

Second Marriage is crying out for this distance [and further] closing from rear 4th Five Kingdom Pakenham 1400m.

Koolama Bay (4) like to roll along and will take catching if he get the lead on his terms while Five Kingdom [1] goes in all exotics.

 

Race 5:

  1. Shokora (3)
  2. Mintha (5)
  3. Smart As You Think (1)

Shokoro hasn’t placed in seven starts since solid 2nd in Gr. 2 Kewney but nothing has gone her way – back against the trend at the Valley then not suited by heavy at Flemington.

Mintha, talented 4yo settled too far back when resuming behind stablemate at Sandown but will box-seat here

Smart As You Think didn’t get home on firm surface in Kyneton Cup but did beat a quality field at Randwick before that. Proven weight carrier.

Snogging [6] impressive scoring over this trip at Caulfield in April and is going better than latest efforts would suggest. Back against pattern at the Valley before going too early at Sandown.

 

Race 6:

  1. Fill The Flute (7)
  2. Grey Shadow (3)
  3. Unique Lovely (8)

Fill The Flute is unbeaten in three starts this season running her rivals ragged Morphettville 1100m and this route. Has the pace cross from outside barrier, especially with only 53kg.

Grey Shadow has been racing well in tougher grade beating Fragonard and Mss Leonidas Caulfield 1100m before 5th From Within in listed Alinghi same route.

Unique Lovely was off the scene for nine months after winning three on the trot last season but back on track powering late head 2nd this route Nov 16. Needs luck from inside draw.

Essence Of Terror [1] runs her  best races at this course overpowering favourite You’ve Been Had over 955m before just missing in quick time Oct 26.

Rewarding Laughter [2] has gone to a new level this campaign towelling lesser light in past two starts on inside track at Morphettville.

 

Race 7:

  1. Invincible Al (4)
  2. Ken’s Dream (2)
  3. Thermal Current (1)

Invincible Al is back to his best “sprouting wings” late 3rd Ashlor 955m this course before close 5th in listed 1000m at Sandown when not suited by inside draw.

Ken’s Dream, reliable 5yo kicked off last campaign with a fast finishing 5th [against pattern] this course and distance. Beaten a tad over 3 lengths in Newmarket.

Thermal Current, veteran broke an 18-run losing streak in listed 1000m at Flemington, albeit in fast lane, then every chance when 6th in Doveton.

Our Luca [5] carefully placed 5yo unbeaten in two starts this prep, both at the Valley, but this is much tougher while Pravo [8] can run into a place.

 

Race 8:

  1. Al Galayel (7)
  2. Top Prospect (8)
  3. Lycurgus (2)

Al Galayel has been a model of consistency since transferring from England last season battling on strongly 2nd Sydneysider Savacool Flemington 1800m. Drawn to get a cosy run.

Lycurgus would prefer the roomier Flemington circuit but is a progressive stayer and does meet Top Prospect 2.5kg better for Flemington 3rd when covered ground.

Top Prospect, ex Kiwi who proved very costly to favourite punters in first local prep but has turned to corner this time in scoring over 2000m at Flemington.

Our Big Mike [3] acquitted himself well in Gr. 1 behind Savvy Coup over this journey at Hastings before Australian debut when 3rd in Kyneton Cup while Strategic Demand [10] is going well for Patrick Payne.

Race 9:

  1. Sirius Suspect (5)
  2. Prezado (7)
  3. Demolition (3)

Sirius Suspect was too strong for lighter-weighted Elam at Sale before finding Order Of Command too sharp when dropping back to 1100m at Flemington. Drawn to get the gun run,

Prezado has mixed his form since chasing Nature Strip in Inglis Dash in January but past two efforts this course have been encouraging.

Demolition should have won all three starts earlier this year and while the outside gate is a concern, he will be hitting the line better than anything.

Easy Beast [10] lost form after winning on a heavy track at the Gold Coast but is right up to this on his best showings ad is good fresh while Magnesium Rose [14] has been freshened since luckless 5th this route Aug 25.

BEST:  AL GALAYEL

NEXT BEST: INVINCIBLE AL

VALUE:  PREZADO