| What | Moonee Valley Races |
| Where | Moonee Valley Racing Club – 2 Feehan Ave, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039 |
| When | Saturday, January 28, 2023 |
| First Race | 12:35pm AEDT |
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Visit Ladbrokes |
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The Group 2 Australia Stakes highlights a competitive nine-race program out of Moonee Valley on Saturday afternoon as the Melbourne Autumn Carnival inches closer. With a 35-degree day forecast, we’re expecting quite a firm track on race day, with the Soft 5 track rating to quickly disappear.
The day of racing kicks off at 12:35pm AEDT with the rail in the true position throughout.
Australia Stakes Top Tip: Snapper
The Group 2 Australia Stakes has long been a strong form race heading into the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes and we’re hoping the summer form of Mike Moroney’s Snapper is the right way to go this year. The five-year-old gelding beat a similar field to what he faces on Saturday in the Group 3 Standish Handicap and returns to the Moonee Valley 1200m for the eighth time. The Power gelding has four wins and a minor placing from his previous seven goes at the track and trip and looks well-placed to build on that record here. He is a genuine speed influencer and from barrier five we expect to see him take up the running or at worst settle outside Jigsaw (race fave). Weight-for-age is a slight query, but if McNeil can cross Jigsaw and have Snapper gliding along out in front, he is going to take a power of beating.
Australia Stakes
Race 7 – 
#6 Snapper (5)
5yo Gelding | T: Mike Moroney | J: Jye McNeil (58.5kg)
$4.20 with Bet365
Best Bet at Moonee Valley: Spacewalk
Our best bet of the day at The Valley comes up in the fourth event of the day when Godolphin send Spacewalk to the 1000m scamper. The three-year-old gelding was a tough watch at Rosehill for punters first-up when held up for a run in the home straight until it was all too late. He went down by a length on that day and with a step back in grade and Jamie Kah hopping he looks a clear best bet of the day. In his only start the “Melbourne way” he managed to finish ahead of Buenos Noches at Flemington in the Listed Poseidon Stakes, before losing the result on protest. We’re hoping it is second time the charm for Spacewalk as he comes to Melbourne. The son of Exosphere will appreciate the tempo being set by Bistro and Command Approved and under a well-timed ride, we expect Spacewalk to blouse the leaders and bring up a confidence-building win.
Best Bet
Race 4 – 
#2 Spacewalk (3)
3yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Jamie Kah (60kg)
$3.30 with Bet365
Next Best at Moonee Valley: Worsfold
We need to wait for one of our bets of the day as the Nick Ryan-trained Worsfold steps out in the final event of the day. The six-year-old gelding has strung two smart victories at Sandown to begin his campaign since transferring to Nick Ryan’s stable and looks well-placed to bring up a hat-trick of wins. Blake Shinn hops back on board having partnered this bloke to his victory two runs back and from barrier seven looks set to gain a perfect run in transit around midfield with a bit of cover. With a genuine tempo expected and a strong turn of foot, we expect Worsfold to be building through his gears on the turn and ultimately prove too hard to hold out.
Next Best
Race 9 – 
#4 Worsfold (7)
6yo Gelding | T: Nick Ryan | J: Blake Shinn (60.5kg)
$3.20 with Palmerbet
Best Value at Moonee Valley: Uniquely
Having won in impressive fashion three starts back at this track and trip, we’re hopeful the Dan O’Sullivan-trained Uniquely can offer plenty of value early on in the card. The five-year-old mare relishes firmer going which she gains on Saturday and considering her win three runs back saw her beat the progressive Wahine Toa suggests she is way over the odds with online bookmakers. She will be giving her rivals a start from the back of the field, but if Noonday Gun and Bold Bourbon can make this a genuinely run 2040m event, look for the big grey to be flashing home late.
Best Value
Race 2 – 
#10 Uniquely (11)
5yo Mare | T: Dan O’Sullivan | J: Celine Gaudray (a3) (58.5kg)
$34 with Betfair
Saturday quaddie tips for Moonee Valley
Moonee Valley quadrella selections
Saturday, January 28, 2023
- 1-2-6
- 5-6-7
- 4-5-10-11
- 4-13
Investment: $72 for 100%
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