Spring is in the air and Spring is officially here with the good horses back at the races.
Here’s brief look at some of the premier races at Moonee Valley and Randwick;
Moonee Valley
Race 1: (2) The Holy One, (4) Conqueror, (7) Echo Lad
Race 2: (1) Junipal, (3) Five Kingdom, (10) Satori
Race 3: (8) King of Leogrance, (4) Douglas Macarthur, (6) Kentucky Breeze
I was on import King of Leogrance at his Aussie debut when an impressive third at Caulfield over a mile. Gets to the Cox Plate distance (2040m) and Damien Oliver gets down to 54kg to take the ride. Get on!
Race 4: (2) Haut Brion Her, (9) Victory Kingdom, (12) Tofane
Race 5: (1) Exhilarates, (2) Pin Sec, (4) Westport
Serious filly this one as we saw at her return to the track a few weeks ago with a blistering win in a Group 3. A Magic Millions winner last season and one of the best of the day today.
Race 6: (2) Spirit of Valor, (6) Deprive, (10) The Inevitable
I vaguely recall Spirit of Valor running an unlucky second in the Manikato Stakes when I was trackside celebrating my Bucks Party so that form is good form and he can win this at big odds.
Race 7: (1) Faatinah, (4) Eduardo, (7) Meryl
Race 8: (3) Homesman, (5) Best of Days, (6) Fifty Days
Homesman was beaten a lip in the Caulfield Cup and this same race last season so is the class animal engaged here. Winner gains automatic entry to the Cox Plate so this seems his race for the taking.
Race 9: (2) Vinland, (4) Dr Drill, (8) Snitzepeg
Best Bets;
R3 N8 King of Leogrance $3.30
R5 N1 Exhilarates $2.30
R6 N2 Spirit of Valor each way $13 & $3.30
Quaddie;
Leg 1: 2, 3, 6, 10, 11
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 6
Leg 3: 3, 5, 9, 15
Leg 4: 2, 4
$50 = 26%
Randwick
Race 1: (2) Pandemic- unbeaten three-year-old who’s rated by a high-flying stable.
Race 2: N/A for me.
Race 3: (1) Bleu Roche – trialled nicely behind Libertini who goes alright…
Race 4: (3) Baller – a shade short for mine but seems a classy commodity.
Race 5: (2) Libertini – the most exciting young horse in the land.
Race 6: (3) Nature Strip, (4) Sunlight, (2) Pierata
Nature Strip is blisteringly fast, especially over 1000m and Chris Waller seems to be winning the battle with him. Sunlight was a superstar filly who should go on as a mare but she might have a hard time tracking down the speedster up front.
Race 7: (1) Avilius – class Godolphin gelding who enjoys track and distance.
Race 8: (2) Te Aku Shark – highly, highly rated Kiwi making his Aussie debut.
Best Bets;
R7 N1 Avilius $2
Quaddie;
Leg 1: 3, 4
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 2
Leg 4: Field
$50 = 178%
Josh Jenkins Sports 