Moonee Valley
Race 6 – Prairie Flower
Jockey – Will Price
1200m – Barrier 2
Consistent mare Prairie Flower is fourth-up when she heads to The Valley this afternoon. The daughter of Star Turn has been good at all three runs this preparation, getting through the deteriorating ground at Ballarat to run a solid second-placing a fortnight ago. Back on top of the ground will suit today, jockey Will Price needing to step cleanly from an inside draw to hold a position early on.
South Of Houston and Starlite Valley are both speedy horses and will go forward from the centre of the line, while Yellow Sam won’t be far away from the inside in the early parts. This galloper is first-up today, boasting a strong fresh record (4:2-2-0) and a win at this distance. She’ll need an ounce of luck from the inside but shapes as one of the main hopes. South Of Houston has missed a place just once in seven starts and looks suited in this grade. She’s a last start winner and will get every chance from the front here. Danny’s St Darci is the value in the race, second-up today after a solid effort fresh six weeks ago. She finished third behind a pair of subsequent winners and has a strong record at this track/trip (6:2-2-0).
Prairie Flower is racing well and hits this race fitter for three runs this preparation. Jumping on terms is key to her chances today, and if she manages to leave cleanly, she must be considered a leading hope today. Right in this.
Currently, Prairie Flower is a $6.50 chance in the market.