Moonee Valley Oct 26 Selections and Comments by Peter Ellis (Updated)

 

Race 1

1. It’s A Deel [4]
2. Mildred [9]
3. Bella Nipotina [10]
4. Ideas Man [3]

 

Race 2

1. Esperance [4]
2. Makahu Boy [3]
3. All Over Bosanova [1]
4. Holbien [2]

Esperance hasn’t raced in almost 12 months but is nicely treated on minimum. Posted wide in slower ground 4^th Written Choice this route before lumping 62kg 3^rd [of 16] Order Of Command Flemington 1100m.

Makahu Boy runs his best races at this course winning twice [1000m, 955m] under lights earlier this year. Fitter for two runs from a break and is drawn to advantage.

All Over Bosanova has been thereabouts in bulk of starts since joining Victorian stable. Thwarted by racing pattern 5^th Soothing Listed 1100m at Morphettville before solid 4^th Cranbourne 1000m.

Holbien has been competitive in much tougher grade and is sure to be powering home.

 

Race 3

1. Beauty Bolt [6]
2. Asiago [5]
3. Nudge [7]
4. Fascino [1]

Beauty Bolt created a good impression in first two starts then no luck at Caulfield and in Gr. 2 Manifold [1600m] when caught in traffic at a critical stage.

Asiago has turned form around this season winning all three starts, hitting the line powerfully on each occasion suggesting the 1600m will suit.

Nudge, lightly raced filly too strong for older mares Kembla 1400m before solid 2^nd Asiago same route two weeks ago.

Fascino has done everything right this campaign although was advantaged by inside draws 4^th Caulfield 1400m and 2^nd Flemington 1600m while La Falaise [3] has been doing her best work late.

 

 

Race 4 

1. Villami [3]
2. Wayupinthesky [1]
3. Don’ttelltheboss [6]
4. Broadwayandfourth [11]

Villami should be at her top following three starts from a break. Collared late 2^nd highly-regarded Libertini Randwick 1200m the always wide close 3^rd Loving Gaby this route.

Wayupinthesky has looked smart in both Victorian starts scoring down the straight at Flemington before fast finishing 3^rd Caulfield 1100m when raced inferior ground.

Don’ttelltheboss only secured clear running in final 100m 4^th [100/1] Loving Gaby Gr. 3 this route then posted wide 3^rd Caulfield 1200m.

Broadwayandfourth had no luck on debut at Geelong then ultra-impressive when breaking maiden Ballarat 1200m while Niccovi [4] was ridden too close when 5^th on Victorian debut.

 

Race 5

 

1. Condo’s Express [1]
2. Lucifer’s Reward [2]
3. Sartorial Splendor [3]
4. Ruuca [9]

Condo’s Express was given a seven week break following back-to-back victories this course and has  been primed for this with a solid 4^th in Gr. 3 at Caulfield.  .
Lucifer’s Reward has always shown potential placing behind Caulfield Guineas winner Super Seth last season and has improved since. Value runner.

Sartorial Splendor took a sit when 3^rd over 955m her last time but is more effective leading as evidenced first-up 2^nd Caulfield 1000m when nailed final stride.

Ruuca did plenty wrong but still too good for maidens on debut Ipswich 1200m then worked home strongly after being pushed wide on turn 3^rd Eagle Farm 1000m. Fitter.

Cielo D’Oro [7] looking for this trip [and further] doing best work in final 50m 3^rd Bendigo 1100m.

 

Race 6

1. Battenburg [1]
2. Independent Road [2]
3. Soul Patch [5]
4. Serious Liaison [3]

Battenburg has improved with each step up in distance holding sway until near post 3^rd Derby favourite Shadow Hero and Cox Plate contender Castelvecchio Randwick Gr. 1 2000m. Ideally drawn.

Independent Road is better than his bare form would suggest and did stick on bravely after going early 2^nd Flemington listed 1800m.

Soul Patch overcame difficulties when successful Flemington 1400m then faced an impossible essay in Caulfield Guineas but did close off nicely.

Serious Liaison lacked galloping room in straight 4^th Flemington 1800m the ridden cold and given plenty of space when a last-stride winner Caulfield 1600m.

Moonlight Maid [9] talented filly shaping as though this distance will suit sprouting wings final 200m when successful in G2 1600m at Flemigton.

 

Race 7

1. Mr Quickie [6]
2. Downdraft [4]
3. Hunting Horn [5]
4. Humidor [7]

Mr Quickie, Qld Derby winner wasn’t suited by muddling speed in Turnbull but latest effort in Caulfield Cup was more in keeping with his best showings. Drawn to get a cosy run.

Downdraft has won four of his past seven in Ireland – including two listed events in the North – and did handle better grade 2^nd Southern France in 2800m St Leger Trial.  Sure to be staying on.

Hunting Horn can be forgiven latest failures when used as a pacemaker. Only needs to replicate  his efforts in the Sheema Classic and Man O’War to test this field. .

Humidor [7] should be ready to fire following four starts back from injury doing best work late 5^th Caulfield Stakes while last year’s winner Ventura Storm [2] stays under notice.

 

 

Race 8

1. Sikandarabad [10]
2. Dreamforce [3]
3. Madison County [13]
4. Cliff’s Edge [5]

Sikandarabad had had nothing go his way this campaign. Ridden upside-down 3^rd Caulfield 2000m before powering to the line when a luckless 4^th in 1600m Toorak. Handles Valley.

Dreamforce campaigned successfully in Victoria last spring and has gone to a new level since placing in three Group 1’s including Doncaster Mile.

Madison County runs to the mark whatever the distance boasting Group 1 victories at 1600m in NZ Guineas and Levin Classic. Never sighted daylight in Rupert Clarke then posted wide in Toorak.

Cliff’s Edge has been campaigned solely at Caulfield this season but is clearly better at the Valley winning this race last year.

Chief Ironside [12] has claims on his best English form and he was travelling well in Toorak when unable a secure clear running in straight. Value.

Dream Castle [6] hit a career high in Dubai earlier this year winning three on the trot including G1 Jebel Hatta. Tired after a tough run in Caulfield Stakes and is better suited this trip.

 

Race 9

1. Lys Gracieux [9]
2. Magic Wand [10]
3. Avilius [2]
4. Mystic Journey [12]

Lys Gracieux boasts an outstanding record in Asia. Closed from well back 3^rd Hong Kong’s QE II Cup [2000m] then ridden on the speed when producing PB in Gr. 1 2200m at Hanshin.

Magic Wand has been competitive against the world’s best over the past 12 months. Chased star American Bricks And Mortar in Arlington Million before 2^nd stablemate Magical in Irish Champion Stakes.

Avilius had every chance when 4^th to Winx last year but has had a more conventional preparation this time – winning Randwick Gr. 1 1600m. Firm ground against when 4^th in Caulfield Stakes. .
Mystic Journey has come a long way since taking fillies Gr. 2 on this day last year posting victories in first five starts this year. Covered ground in Makybe Diva before getting too far back in Turnbull.

Danceteria [8] progressive 5yo picked up late ground 4^th champion Enable in Eclipse [2000m] before running away from his rivals in Gr. 1 in Germany. .

Te Akau Shark [7] hasn’t raced beyond a mile but is a real talent winning five of seven in NZ before excellent seconds in Tramway and Epsom.

 

Race 10

1. Amangiri [5]
2. Girl Tuesday [2]
3. Scarlet Dream [3]
4. Consensus [1]

Amangiri showed plenty of promise in first prep winning two of four before leading until final 50m in G.3 Adrian Knox. Strip fitter 3^rd Nettoyer Randwick 1600m when kicked for home at 300m.

Girl Tuesday was pushed out to 2400m last season but her best performances have been at 1400m and 1600m including fast finishing 3^rd in-form Samadoubt Gr. 2 Chelmsford.

Scarlet Dream, Aust. Oaks runner-up failed to handle soft ground in past two starts but did work home stylishly resuming on a good surface Randwick 1500m.

Consensus, classy Kiwi going better than form this campaign would suggest. Posted wide in Stock Stakes this route then led against pattern at Caulfield.

Music Bay [4] won G2 1600m at Morphettville in May and has been improved by two starts at 1400m while Vanuatu[11] will be doing her best work in home straight.

 

BEST:              VILLAMI

EACH-WAY:      SIKANDANDARABAD

LONGSHOT:     MAGIC WAND