Moonee Valley
Race 7 – Asfoora
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1000m Group One Moir Stakes – Barrier 6
Star sprinter Asfoora gets a crack at Group-1 success tonight in the 1000-metre Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley. The four-year-old daughter of Flying Artie was a strong winner in Group-3 company at Caulfield first-up, recording good time without ever looking under pressure. Mitch Aitken leaves from gate six tonight, looking to find a position one off the fence in the first two pairs upon settling.
As expected, there will be plenty of pressure up front with some speedy runners engaged. Zoustyle and Acromantula will jump fast and contest for the lead, while Rothfire can kick-up from the inside alley and make them both work in the early parts. This could set up a lovely trail for Asfoora, who can look to slot in behind these runners and enjoy the box seat. Uncommon James has drawn barrier seven and will likely be in the second half of the field, with impressive Kiwi mare Imperatriz to watch it all unfold in front of her. She was very good winning at this track and trip first-up, beating home an underdone Giga Kick in the process. Two starts for two wins at The Valley is hard to knock and she’ll be thundering down the middle late in the piece. May be looking for a little more ground second-up but on the strength of her fresh run, will be mighty hard to beat tonight. Rothfire was runner-up to Imperatriz on that occasion, albeit over two-lengths astern on the line. He’s drawn to be prominent in the run, and will just need luck to get clear running turning for home. An each way chance. Oakleigh Plate winner Uncommon James has jumped out well and looks to have returned in fine order. This is first look at The Valley and he generally improves with a run under his belt, however must be considered one of the top hopes here. Others look stretched in a cracking race.
Asfoora looks terrific and hasn’t missed a beat since her first-up success. If the race pans out favourably in the first furlong, she can enjoy a nice run in transit and move up to challenge the lead on the home bend. She’ll have a tactical advantage on key rivals in the second half of the field and can give them something to chase in the home straight. If she can kick away at the 150-metre mark, it’ll take a big effort to run her down. A winning chance in a hot race.
Currently, Asfoora is an $8 chance in the market.
Coleraine
Race 5 – Kyteler
Jockey – Neil Farley
1600m – Barrier 8
Improving galloper Kyteler looks to go one better than his last start second when he gets out to a mile at Coleraine this afternoon. The gelded son of Shamus Award just found one better at Tatura last start after making an early run there, and was solid when third at Horsham the start prior. Out to 1600-metres looks ideal today, with jockey Neil Farley to be positive and find a position outside or just behind the speed in the early parts.
Scratchings have taken some of the early speed out of this, but there will still be a willing battle for the front in the long run to the bend. Soobmerged and Firm As A Rock have drawn well and will both be up there early, while Brechen will roll across from gate six and look to control the race. This galloper led and won his maiden two starts back before going down as an odds-on favourite when back in trip at Warracknabeal last start. First go at a mile won’t hold any fears for him and if he’s allowed to dictate terms in front, he’ll take running down late. Firm As A Rock has put three good runs together and a win looks close. Two wins from thirty-three starts is the knock on him, but he won’t be far away in the finish. Soobmerged is a query on top of the ground but rarely runs a poor race. He has each way claims. An improved showing from Socialite Miss second-up wouldn’t surprise, but looks a place chance at best. Others lack appeal.
Kyteler will roll across with Brechen from the start and put himself on speed before the turn. He’s fit for recent racing and the quick turnaround between runs suggests he’s feeling well within himself. Expecting him to be in this for a long way. A genuine each way chance.
Currently, Kyteler is a $4.40 chance in the market.
Coleraine
Race 8 – The Siscos Kid
Jockey – Jack Hill
1300m – Barrier 7
Last start winner The Siscos Kid steps up in grade and distance at Coleraine this afternoon. The gelded son of Danerich led all the way at Casterton three weeks ago to record a strong win over 1200-metres, and has had a jumpout between runs to keep him ticking over for today. Jockey Jack Hill sticks on and will be positive from gate seven, sending his gelding forward from the outset.
There’s good early speed in this, with a few runners looking to be prominent with The Siscos Kid before the bend. Where’s Poppy gets blinkers applied and will be sent forward from a middle gate, while China Affair will jump fast and has drawn for the gun run behind the speed from the inside alley. The solid tempo of this race sets up for the topweight Is It Me to have the last crack at them in the home straight. He was beaten narrowly at Flemington first-up last prep (held up, a touch unlucky) and this looks a suitable race to kick off his spring campaign. The wide draw is a query, he doesn’t want to be too far off them with only a short run home, but he’s clearly the one to beat in this. China Affair will have a tactical advantage on this runner by settling up close to the speed from a favourable draw. A repeat of his last start effort puts him in the mix here. Impossible to knock the form of Where’s Poppy, who has been a model of consistency in races like this. Must be considered an each way chance. So too True Nobility, who will settle in the second half of the field and work home late.
The Siscos Kid should be able to settle in the lead or outside the lead when runners find their positions, looking to kick off the home turn and give his rivals something to chase. The short run home plays into the hands of runners in the front half of the field, and provided he hasn’t done too much work in the run, can be right there at the pointy end of this race. A genuine each way chance.
Currently, The Siscos Kid is an $11 chance in the market.