Moe races on Sunday with a seven-race card. The track starts as a Good 4 and should improve with warm weather. The rail is out 6 metres after being in the true position at the last meeting. Moe turns tightly and has a short straight, so leaders get every chance. Horses coming from behind need to start their run down the side, before the turn.
Spirit Angel in the last race is our best bet. Mongolian Hero is an interesting first-up play in Race 1, and Frederick gets the firm ground he wants in Race 6.
Race 1 - Weblease Community Champions 3YO Maiden Plate (1200m)
Selection: Mongolian Hero Current odds: $3.10
Mongolian Hero has been gelded and changed stables since a debut at Flemington where nothing went right. His jump-outs this time in have been excellent. He will probably want further than 1200m in time, but this is a good place to start. Genki Girl was slow away first up at Bairnsdale and still ran well, so at a double-figure price she is a good each-way option. Ruby Guild finished well at Ballarat, and Bohemian Blitz has placed in both starts.
Selections:
- Mongolian Hero - $3.10
- Genki Girl - $12.00
- Ruby Guild - $4.40
- Bohemian Blitz - $14.00
Race 2 - Energy Australia Maiden Plate (1100m)
Selection: Go Maggie Mae Current odds: $2.10
Go Maggie Mae has impressed in three jump-outs, showing good early speed and covering the ground well. The concern is that she has not been seen since late August, which suggests she may have had a setback. If she runs to her jump-outs she should win. Dama Royale placed at Cranbourne earlier this campaign and can bounce back from a fifth at Donald. Tickety Boo resumes from a good draw, and Express Sonic drops back in trip after a sound debut.
Selections:
- Go Maggie Mae - $2.10
- Dama Royale - $5.50
- Tickety Boo - $7.00
- Express Sonic - $9.50
Race 3 - Martin Cameron MP Maiden Plate (1600m)
Selection: The Minstrel Boy Current odds: $2.70
The Minstrel Boy ran second on the Pakenham synthetic last start, draws barrier 1 and has blinkers on for the first time. He looks the one to beat. Shuwaib is a first starter by Shamus Award worth watching in the betting. I’Mfallinforyou drops back in trip after a seventh at Ballarat, and Pneuma should improve with fitness.
Selections:
- The Minstrel Boy - $2.70
- Shuwaib - $4.60
- I’Mfallinforyou - $4.80
- Pneuma - $9.00
Race 4 - Gippsland Motor Group BM56 Handicap (2050m)
Selection: Staphani Current odds: $3.90
Staphani was only just beaten in a tight finish at Mornington and drops in grade, which gives her a big chance. Olney backs up quickly from a poor run at Seymour but has placed this campaign and gets back to a suitable grade. Stole Him ran a solid third at Kilmore and has a strong jockey and trainer combination. African Grey drops in class after a disappointing run.
Selections:
- Staphani - $3.90
- Olney - $3.80
- Stole Him - $5.50
- African Grey - $9.50
Race 5 - O & M Services 0-56 Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Bleak Mid Winter Current odds: $4.60
Bring The Thunder has been scratched. Bleak Mid Winter showed ability in South Australia and is better on firm ground than the wet tracks he has had recently. He trialled well at Moe and gets good ground today. Rock Glory is the main danger. She draws to lead without working and has Luke Currie riding. Irresistible Sir is in the market, and Laura’s Gold should be finishing from the back.
Selections:
- Bleak Mid Winter - $4.60
- Rock Glory - $5.50
- Irresistible Sir - $4.00
- Laura’s Gold - $7.50
Race 6 - Valley Motor Group 0-56 Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Frederick Current odds: $5.50
Frederick is much better on top of the ground and gets those conditions here. His jump-outs have been fine, and he draws to get a soft run. Noble Style was ridden back last start, which did not suit her. With the blinkers back on she should roll forward and make her own luck, so she is a good second string. Ruby Avenue draws the rail and finds a weaker race than usual, and Gatsby Crown steps up in trip.
Selections:
- Frederick - $5.50
- Noble Style - $5.50
- Ruby Avenue - $6.00
- Gatsby Crown - $10.00
Race 7 - Peter Craighead Memorial 0-56 Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Spirit Angel Current odds: $3.40
This is our best bet of the meeting. Spirit Angel ran very well two starts back at Kilmore despite going wide on the turn, then was held up at Bairnsdale on the worst part of the track. She has placed three times from four runs this campaign and draws to get a good run here. Hard To Go Wrong was unlucky in a stronger race at Pakenham and is the value danger. Shubael and Delightful Journey both back up from Bairnsdale.
Selections:
- Spirit Angel - $3.40
- Hard To Go Wrong - $11.00
- Shubael - $6.00
- Delightful Journey - $7.50
