Night racing is back at The Valley and the stable has a duo of strong chances heading to town tonight. Coleraine also plays host to an early runner this afternoon.
Coleraine
Race 1 – Afridi
Jockey – Melissa Julius
Barrier – 7
Four-year-old gelding, Afridi, has disappointed on the track in his three career starts to date, but the stable are hoping a drop back in distance to 1400-metres can inspire some improvement at Coleraine today. Jockey Mel Julius can look to settle behind the speed and produce her mount approaching the home straight. The query is whether the son of Vadamos has enough zip in his legs to be a factor at this distance. Maher/Eustace runner, Tafika, has been a tease to punters so far but again looks to be a prominent chance in the race today, and Tom Dabernig has Typhoon Moon debuting for the stable on the back of some quiet jumpouts.
From the trainer:
If he runs up to how he trialled, I don’t see how he can’t be competitive.
Currently, Afridi is a $14 chance in the market.
Moonee Valley
Race 2 – Prairie Flower
Jockey – Will Price
Barrier – 2
Promising filly, Prairie Flower, steps up to Group-3 company tonight when she takes on the Scarborough Stakes over 1200-metres. The daughter of Star Turn competed at this level in Adelaide to end her two-year-old season, finishing fourth behind Maximillius in May. Tonight’s field presents as her toughest test yet, but the Dwyer galloper is racing in good heart and could run into the placings if the leaders overdo it up front. Jockey Will Price will be hoping his mount steps well tonight from an inside draw and can sit one or two pairs back from the leaders, hoping for clear running approaching the bend. In a race of many chances, Price/Kent runner, I’mlovin’ya, will prove hard to beat with a change in fortune and English Riviera for Team McEvoy will give the field something to chase.
From the trainer:
I think she’s looking for 1200-metres now.
Her work was excellent through the week.
Hopefully she pick pick runs inside horses and finish off behind the placegetters.
Currently, Prairie Flower is a $41 in the market.
Race 5 – Asfoora
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
Barrier – 3
Exciting mare, Asfoora, takes on the first 955-metre dash of the night season on the back of an exceptional win first-up at Sandown. The daughter of Flying Artie jumped well and demolished her rivals there, but tonight’s race looks different on paper and she will need to avoid getting stuck behind tiring runners on the fence from a low draw. Jockey Mitch Aitken will have plenty of speed trying to come across from his outside in the form of Young Liam, Yulong Command and Sartorial Splendour, and may need to ride for luck in the home straight. Asfoora is the class runner in this, but if things don’t pan out as the stable would like, it’s an open race with many hopes.
From the trainer:
She’s in super order – very, very happy with her.
It’s a race she can win on ability.
She’s the best horse in the race…but if she gets the right luck in the race is the big query.
Currently, Asfoora is a $2 chance in the market.