Moonee Valley
Race 3 – Wuddzz
Jockey – Jye McNeil
3000m – Barrier 12
Consistent galloper Wuddzz returns to The Valley for his first crack at the 3000-metre starting point tonight. The gelded son of Complacent was rock solid at Flemington last start, making ground in restricted room from the second half of the field to run fourth on a drying track. Two starts prior at this track have been sound with plenty against him, and up in trip looks ideal at this point of his preparation. Jockey Jye McNeil will drift back from a wide gate and settle with cover in the second half of the field, looking to improve into the race before the home bend.
Flight To The Moon will punch forward from a low draw early and look to settle somewhere on-speed, while Nordic Pride will roll across from a wide barrier and be prominent in the run. This galloper has strung together some good runs north of the river, measuring up in city grade at his past two. He’s had one attempt at this trip, winning at Sandown in April last year. He has strong claims in a competitive race. Mr Lincoln has been racing well in weaker grade, winning out to 3100-metres at Warrnambool last time out. He was ridden too close in SA the start prior, but if he can find cover midfield from the start tonight, he’ll be making a run down the back. An each way hope. So too is Field Of Lights, who ran third behind Mr Lincoln last start from back in the field. He’ll be closer to the speed this time and will keep plugging away late. Look Sharpish was only just a run at Benalla last Sunday but does race well here, while Wilewink is consistent and split Mr Lincoln and Field Of Lights last time out. Good race.
Wuddzz is the class factor in the race and will enjoy any sting out of the ground from the midweek rain. He’ll have a quiet time in the second half of the field and can work into the race on the back of improving runners. Everything we’ve seen suggests he’ll get this trip, and if this is the case, he’s hardest to beat in a tough contest.
Currently, Wuddzz is a $2.60 chance in the market.