Moonee Valley full racing tips & best bets | September 23, 2022

Race 1: 3YO C&G Plate (1200m)

We were with the Matt Laurie-trained Shalaman when he saluted over the course and trip on September 3 and we are happy to butter up once again. The three-year-old colt has two wins and two runner-up efforts to his name this campaign, with his last start victory standing out a bit more following Meridius, who he beat narrowly last time out running on well in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude when finishing second behind Aft Cabin. Look for Ben Melham to use barrier four to his advantage and despite this colt doing plenty wrong in his recent efforts, we expect Shalaman to lead this field throughout and help build us a nice bank early on in the night.

• 2
  

  SHALAMAN

• 1
  

  EL PADRINO

• 11
  

  KAYGEEBEE

• 10
  

  CUSTODIAN

Race 2: Scarborough Stakes (1200m)

Having taken out the Group 3 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield on September 13, we expect the Archie Alexander-trained Bound For Home to go on with the job in the Scarborough Stakes. The three-year-old filly gained a perfect run in transit, but was too strong late over the 1100m and will appreciate the 1200m she gets out to on Friday. From barrier nine, look for Declan Bates to have this girl settled in the one-one throughout and when asked for an effort, we expect to see this Rubick filly hit the front inside the final furlong and prove too hard to gun down.

• 5
  

  BOUND FOR HOME

• 7
  

  ENGLISH RIVIERA

• 9
  

  GHAANATI

• 4
  

  TROACH

Race 3: BM84 Handicap (1200m)

Our best bet of the night comes up nice and early when Team Hawkes send Clemenceau back to the Moonee Valley 1200m. The four-year-old gelding was only beaten a half-length by Remarque when first-up at Rosehill on September 10, but a return to The Valley looks to be the recipe for success. We expect Jye McNeil to be positive aboard early aboard the Capitalist gelding and if he can settle him outside the race leader, Clemenceau has the natural speed to give this lot plenty of concerns in running. The $2.60 being shopped around with online bookmakers looks to be a perfect price to load into.

• 3
  

  CLEMENCEAU

• 5
  

  PIONEER RIVER

• 12
  

  ZAKAT

• 7
  

  SNAPPER

Race 4: Stutt Stakes (1600m)

The Group 2 Stutt Stakes has long been a lead in for Caulfield Guineas aspirants and we anticipate the Liam Howley-trained Virtuous Circle can bring up a third straight win. The three-year-old colt return with an upset victory when nosing out subsequent winner Castillian over 1500m at The Valley and looks a great value play on Friday night. He gains the services of James McDonald for this and from barrier four, JMac should lob this bloke in a perfect position upon settling and be armed to strike approaching the home turn. He looks like he will only get better as he steps out in trip and with the appreciation for a track with the sting out of it, we expect Virtuous Circle will be too hard to hold out in the Stutt Stakes at a nice price.

• 3
  

  VIRTUOUS CIRCLE

• 4
  

  TIJUANA

• 6
  

  RINGMASTER

• 1
  

  LET’SROLLTHEDICE

Race 5: BM84 Handicap (955m)

He may need to lug 61.5kg over 955m, but the Lloyd Kennewell-trained Esta La Roca looks to present great value in the opening leg of the quaddie. The fact he finished within two-lengths of Bella Nipotina in the Listed Carlyon Stakes first-up, the El Roca mare is sure to appreciate the drop back into a BM84. She is a genuine speed merchant and with two wins and a second when second-up from a spell, we expect she will give her rivals something to catch over the sprint trip. The big weight is a slight concern – but from barrier 12 – if Logan McNeil can find the rail – we are confident Esta La Roca can lead throughout can show his class in this.

• 1
  

  ESTA LA ROCA

• 8
  

  ASFOORA

• 7
  

  ROSE QUARTZ

• 6
  

  THE FRONT BAR

Race 6: JRA Cup (2040m)

The formidable combination of Chris Waller and James McDonald are set to combine in the JRA Cup and we anticipate it will be a winning move when Great House steps out. The six-year-old gelding has a formidable record of two wins and two minor placings from four second-up runs and considering he is already a two-time winner at Group 3 level, he looks the one to beat in a strong edition of the JRA Cup. The slight concern is that he has not win in close to 12 months, but if JMac can have him settled midfield with cover, we saw first-up at Flemington that he has a nice turn of foot and with a few of these looking for 2400m+, Great House might just be a touch too sharp for his rivals.

• 4
  

  GREAT HOUSE

• 7
  

  MAKRAM

• 8
  

  DESERT ICON

• 3
  

  PERSAN

Race 7: Moir Stakes (1000m)

The Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) has been taken out by many a superstar sprinter and a field of 12 sprinters will be looking to etch their name in the history books. Online betting sites have Paulele and Rothfire as equal $4.40 favourites, suggesting the 1000m scamper is as open an event as ever.

Click here to view our in-depth 2022 Moir Stakes betting preview

Race 8: Stocks Stakes (1600m)

With a bit of luck, we can round out Moir Stakes night on a winning note when the Nick Ryan-trained Kissonallforcheeks goes around in the Stocks Stakes. The five-year-old mare put away a strong field in the Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington on September 10 and this field is no harder than that day. Mark Zahra who has two wins from as many starts when riding sticks on board and despite this being her first look at The Valley, she has plenty of upside and stepping up to the mile third-up should suit. She has three wins and two minor placings from five runs on soft going, so we know she will handle the track conditions. Kissonallforcheeks simply looks to be one of the better bets of the night.

• 1
  

  KISSONALLFORCHEEKS

• 2
  

  FOXY FRIDA

• 10
  

  LADY OF HONOUR

• 8
  

  GLINT OF HOPE