Moonee Valley
Race 3 – Alors Tu Crois
Jockey – Will Price
2040m – Barrier 6
Last start Moonee Valley winner Alors Tu Crois returns to the tight-turning metropolitan circuit to take on the famed 2040-metre starting point. The daughter of So You Think has now won her past two starts, backing up her dominant win at Tatura in June with a strong performance at The Valley over a mile. Jockey Will Price keeps the ride and will be positive in the early parts from an ideal barrier.
Magnaspin will punch forward from a low draw and try to repeat his win at this track and trip two starts ago. He had a wicked bias on his side that day so will need to be better to win this, but will have every opportunity from on-speed. Havisham will roll across from out wider and look for a prominent position, which could set up a lovely trail for Alors Tu Crois in the run. Superstock won at this track and trip last start and looks suited here again today. He’ll be forced back from a wide gate but with a solid tempo expected, he can be running on late (if the track permits). Havisham was run down late by Superstock on that occasion but has since put in a plain effort on the synthetic. Expect him to bounce back here but might do some work early. Rockeby Road sets up to get a lovely run tucked in behind the speed. No wins on grass but has been racing well and goes in with an each way chance. Competitive race.
Alors Tu Crois rises in weight for today’s race but there was plenty to like about how she won here last start. Price’s apprentice claim somewhat offsets that weight and he’ll look to get rolling approaching the home bend, similar to four weeks ago. Any give in the track will be beneficial and with even luck, she can prove hard to beat again.
Currently, Alors Tu Crois is an $8 chance in the market.
Horsham
Race 3 – Magic Miss
Jockey – Liam Riordan
1100m – Barrier 10
Four-year-old debutant Magic Miss kicks of her racing career over 1100-metres at Horsham this afternoon. The daughter of Magnus has jumped out fairly in preparation for today, and jockey Liam Riordan will be forced back in the early stages from a wide draw.
Early speed comes from the inside alley with Kensington Diva to jump fast and look to lead throughout. This galloper started favourite when beaten a head on debut on the synthetic by Just Watch Me (since run well again), with a gap of six-lengths back to third place. Always an advantage to be up on speed at Horsham, and if she steps cleanly, she’s the one they’ll have to get past. Xtramagic caught the eye with a strong finishing effort from the back at Bendigo when fresh. She can’t afford to get so far back at this track, so expecting her to settle closer this afternoon. A key hope. Scratchings have cruelled the other main chances here, conceding Iliad is an each way hope, but has many lengths to make up on Kensington Diva.
Magic Miss finds a competitive race for her debut and will need to pinch inside runs approaching the home bend to avoid spinning wide into the straight. She’ll need her share of luck to impact this contest from the draw, but gets a pass mark if she can pick a few up in the run home.
Currently, Magic Miss is a $34 chance in the market.
Horsham
Race 6 – Kyteler
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1400m – Barrier 9
Shamus Award gelding Kyteler is second-up and back to grass at Horsham this afternoon. The five-year-old galloper was never a chance on the synthetic at Ballarat first-up but won a Colac jumpout a week ago in preparation for today. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from an outside draw and will be positive early, looking to roll across from the chute start and sit outside the lead.
Not many early speed contenders in this. Perhaps Socialite Miss will punch through from a middle gate to take the lead, with Limbering the other runner with any sort of dash to use a low draw to sit handy. Sugar And Sweet started favourite in a similar event at Echuca last start, leaving it all too late when finishing unplaced. Previous form reads well enough to be competitive here, and any rain is a bonus. A winning hope. There’s not too much more to get excited about here. Our Ellie Rose won a weaker event last start and does race well at Horsham. She’s in with an each way show. It’s difficult to make a case for too many others.
Kyteler will get his chance from up the front of proceedings and presents fitter second-up and with another trial under his belt. He strikes a very winnable race, and providing Mitch can get cross the field early on, he shapes as a strong each way chance.
Currently, Kyteler is a $5 chance in the market.