Australian racing tips – Saturday 7 September 2024 – Moonee Valley

Race 7

EPIMELES has cracked pole position and is two for two, striking the front at the 200M mark to win his last start over 1400M by 1.8L going away and on that effort, he should appreciate the extra ground on offer here. He does return from a 19-week break without having had the benefit of a barrier trial, so his fitness will have to be taken on trust, but he seems well above average and is made the best bet on the day’s card.

PUBLIC ATTENTION won a neck on debut over 1200M, this despite racing wide throughout and four wide into the home straight. The colt kicked clear of the opposition at the 50M mark for a well-timed victory and has won a subsequent barrier trial. He would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, he could emerge as the biggest danger to the top pick, jumping from one gate outside the former.

STOLI BOLLI has only had two runs to date, winning first time out over 1200M and then finishing second next time over the same sprint trip, 1.8L behind the winner, but he jumped awkwardly that day and had to be held up between the 400M and 150M mark, so he had his excuses. The form of that race has however been franked and although he has a wideish draw eight, he should be involved in the finish.

Race 8

PERICLES is seldom far off the action, finishing third last time out in a Group 2 event over 1400M, just over a half-length back from the winner, when returning from a 19-week rest, but it should be noted that he was disappointed for a run at the 300M mark and the form of that race has been franked. The gelding will have to negotiate a wideish draw eight, but he should turn in another honest performance today.

MUNHAMEK completed his hat-trick before finishing sixth in his penultimate start over 1400M and then ended up in fourth spot last time out over 1700M, just a half-length back from the winner. He made good late progress in that event and from a wide hate twelve, he should be doing his best work late.

POUNDING renews his rivalry with the top pick and stayed on well when finishing seventh last time out in the same 1400M race mentioned above, 2.8L back from the victor. He is 2kgs better off at today’s weights, so he should finish closer to the top choice, but whilst drawn better in gate two, he may find it difficult to reverse that result.

Race 9

I WISH I WIN has a Group 1 record of eleven runs for two firsts, three seconds and four third-place finishes, including a win last time out over 1300M (G1) by just under a half-length, notwithstanding hanging in down the home straight. He returns from a 14-week rest without having had the benefit of a barrier trial, so his well-being will have to be taken on trust, but he has won fresh before and from gate five, he will be hoping to add to that winning record with another victory here.

A 3-year-old and a 4-year-old filly could chase him home, with the slight preference going to LADY OF CAMELOT who won her penultimate start over 1200M (G1) and was then bumped at the start and came four wide into the home stretch when ending up in second place last time out over 1200M, 0.8L off the winner. She resumes after a longer 21-week break, but has had two barrier trials, finishing second in the first and winning the latest. She has a useful draw two and gets the services of non-claiming apprentice, Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey, Jeff Lloyd to aid her cause.

ESTRIELLA completed her hat-trick prior to showing plenty of toe before being run out of it late to finish fifth last time out over 1200M, two and a half lengths behind the winner. She returns after a 19-week break, but has won her only barrier trial and although drawn wideish in gate eight, she is a speedy sort who should be able to work her way across without using up too much energy.

Race 10

The day’s value bet, BEAST MODE has won two of his last four starts, the latest over 1100M when putting 3.3L between himself and the balance of the field. He went from jump to wire that day and the form of that race has been franked. From his wide draw twelve, he is likely to attempt similar frontrunning tactics today, especially with him having 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

VERDAD finished fourth last time out over 2040M (G1), just over a length and a half behind the winner, but he was hampered at the start on that occasion. He has his first run after a 24-week spell, but has won his only barrier trial to prove his fitness and whilst taking a drop in journey, he is sure to put his pole position to good use.

MISS ARIA is a 4-year-old filly taking on the boys, but she had to be steadied shortly after the start and was bumped close to home when finishing second in her latest outing over 1600M, beaten just a short-head, so can be considered an unlucky loser. The filly has pulled a wideish gate eight, but she should nevertheless be included in all bets.