Racing returns to the home of the Cox Plate this weekend, as horses take to the turf at Moonee Valley for the first time in months. It should be a welcome change in the schedule of racing we have had over the past few weeks, and it looks a really open and competitive nine race card. Meanwhile, members will be allowed on course this weekend at Rosehill, much to the delight of a number of people i’m tipping. The running of the Listed Winter Cup is the highlight on that program, set to be run on a very wet track. There’s more group racing at Eagle Farm, with the G2 The Roses, the G2 Dane Ripper Stakes, the G3 Eagle Farm Mile, and the G3 Tattersall’s Cup to be run and won during the afternoon. Belmont and Murray Bridge are the other two metro meetings around the country, so with that being said take a look below at PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby’s top five plays of the day.
Moonee Valley R1#3 Crosshaven $3.20 at PlayUp – Comes here into city grade second up after a scintillating debut win last start. He sat handy to the speed over 1225m at Geelong, and put them away very strongly in the final stages of the race. He managed to run the fastest closing sectionals of the entire day, which is very impressive for a 2yo on debut! Fitter here and better for the race experience, he maps to sit up outside the leader again, and I expect him to be able to make it two in a row to start his career. Selections: 3-6-1-4
Moonee Valley R2 #5 Smoke Bomb $4.60 at PlayUp – It was a horror watch last start if you backed this horse, he was expected to jump and lead the field at Caulfield that day, instead he stood in the barrier and missed the start 4L, before settling at the rear of the field. That was race over for him, as he couldn’t handle racing against his usual pattern. I’m tipping that if he can jump and lead here today, like he is supposed to do, they could find it very hard to run him down in the final stages. Two starts back he won by 5L at Cranbourne using similar tactics, he looks like a great horse for this short straight and tight corners at The Valley. Selections: 5-3-2-1
Moonee Valley R6 #9 Felicia $4.80 at PlayUp – Comes here off the back of a very strong effort last start when she sat up on the speed and fought hard through the line behind Broadwayandfourth, and in front of Mount Popa over 1100m at Caulfield. I think that will be a strong form race moving forward, and I loved the tenacity she showed to keep fighting after being entitled to drop through the field in the straight after a tough run. Maps for a suck run from the inside draw here, if she can get the gaps in the straight I think she can win. Selections: 9-6-11-3
Rosehill R2 #15 Art Cadeau $6.00 at PlayUp – Comes back to highway grade here fourth up and ready to peak, after a very good showing in the similar event at Rosehill two weeks back. He had a great run that day and had no excuses, but fought through the line very well behind Leg Work, who has to rise 2kg in weight here. I’m tipping that the weight swing, along with the perfect draw in barrier two and his position up on speed, could be enough for Art Cadeau to turn the tables here. I think his current price looks a good bet. Selections: 15-6-2-11
Rosehill R5 #3 Stella Sea Sun $14.00 at PlayUp – Want to be having something on this mare at a price here, she looks good overs in a race with a few chances that could go either way. The form guide will tell you she is first up from a spell, but I think she will have retained great residual fitness from a racing campaign only 2 months ago, and she has also had a trial leading into this on a heavy track, that should bring her forward enough to be competitive here. Great wet tracks, she beat Cyber Intervention over 1300m on a heavy 10 this time last year. She loves the 1200m, the booking of H Bowman looks very promising, and this should be a great bet each way. Selections: 3-4-13-9
