Moonee Valley full racing tips | William Reid Stakes Day 2024

Race 1: BM84 Handicap (2000m)

Flossing was a determined Morphettville winner first-up from a spell over 1600m, and as he steps up in distance, he looks hard to go past in the Moonee Valley opener. The six-year-old gelding enjoyed a perfect trail behind the lead in Adelaide before producing a strong finish to hold out his rivals late on. He is a two-time winner at 2000m, so the step up in trip is ideal, and considering he won on a Good 4 first-up, it defies the myth that he is just a wet-tracker. Opie Bosson can slot him off the speed once again, and with even luck, Flossing can salute once again.

• 2
  

  FLOSSING

• 5
  

  ARISTONOUS

• 1
  

  MARQUESS

• 4
  

  MAGNASPIN

Race 2: Listed Valley Pearl (1200m)

Spywire is clearly the best horse in the Listed Valley Pearl, and stepping back from Group 1 company in the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), he looks a clear best bet of the day. He faded to be beaten 3.5 lengths on the back of a red hot tempo that he set out in front, but his form prior in much tougher races than this, suggests he will be to slick for his rivals. Drawn perfectly in barrier three, John Allen will take up the lead, and with little pressure expected over the 1200m, Spywire should prove too hard to run down.

• 1
  

  SPYWIRE

• 2
  

  DANCING STORM

• 6
  

  SASSY JENNI

• 5
  

  GROWING EMPIRE

Race 3: BM78 Handicap (2500m)

Son Of Solly produced a strong staying effort in BM64 at Sandown on March 6, and despite the step up into grade in BM78 company, he looks a great play. The four-year-old gelding produced a strong finish from a midfield position with 58.5kg on his back, and is sure to appreciate the step up in distance. He will be in the second-half of the field upon settling, but if Son Of Solly can replicate a similar finish to Sandown, he should prove too hard to hold out.

• 7
  

  SON OF SOLLY

• 3
  

  YARRAWONGA

• 8
  

  HAALAND

• 5
  

  AKROTIRI

Race 4: BM84 Handicap (1000m)

Belle Plaisir returned with an eye-catching third at Flemington on March 2 when unleashing a strong finish first-up from a long spell. The seven-year-old mare does not have a glowing second-up record (7: 0-1-0), but she is clearly one of the best horses in the race. Jaylah Kennedy claiming 3kg is an obvious advantage for the 94-rater in this BM84, and if the pair can slot in one off the fence around midfield, Belle Plaisir is a Group 3 winner in the past and she can exert her class at a nice price with horse racing bookmakers.

• 1
  

  BELLE PLAISIR

• 12
  

  FRIGID

• 8
  

  FORTUNATE KISS

• 4
  

  TIJUANA

Race 5: Group 2 Sunline Vase (1600m)

Roll On High was only beaten 3.5 lengths in the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400) when first-up from a spell, and considering she had beaten a subsequent Group 1 winner prior to going to the paddock, she will take some beating on Saturday. The three-year-old filly gets a 3kg weight advantage over favourite Campionessa and most of her main market rivals. Billy Egan will have the Shamus Award filly settled midfield with cover, and arm with a strong turn of foot, Roll On High can blouse her rivals in style in the Group 2 Sunline Vase.

• 9
  

  ROLL ON HIGH

• 1
  

  CAMPIONESSA

• 2
  

  WISHLOR LASS

• 7
  

  ETERNAL FLAME

Race 6: Group 3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m)

Vivy Air was the definition of a good thing beat first-up over 1400m at Flemington, when held up for clear running before exploding late when beaten a long neck. She produced the quickest last 200m split of the meeting on March 9, and if she brings a similar effort her, and can gain even luck Vivy Air should prove too strong over the mile in the Group 2 Alexandra Stakes.

• 6
  

  VIVY AIR

• 4
  

  MOLLYNICKERS

• 1
  

  GRINZINGER BELLE

• 2
  

  CERTAINLY

Race 7: Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m)

The quaddie opener can begin with some nice value, as Apulia returns to Moonee Valley for the first time since his win in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) during the spring. The three-year-old colt was only nosed out by Riff Rocket in a VRC Derby (2500m), and was doing enough late over 1600m when well-beaten in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) when fresh. Barrier 14 is a touch concerning, which is why there is a nice price about the son of Fiorente. If Blaike McDougall can settle a pair or two closer than what Apulia did fresh, Apulia can outstay his rivals.

• 1
  

  APULIA

• 12
  

  QUINTESSA

• 4
  

  VERDAD

• 6
  

  SNOW PATROL

Race 8: Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m)

Can anyone beat Imperatriz in Saturday’s Group 1 William Reid Stakes? The superstar Kiwi mare has four wins from as many starts at the track, but needs to turn the tables on Cylinder who beat her in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) last time out. Will it be normal programming resuming? Or can someone topple the best sprinter in the land?

Click here for our full preview of the 2024 William Reid Stakes

Race 9: Group 3 Don Casboult Classic (1200m)

Gumdrops caught the eye when running home nicely at Flemington over the 1100m when chasing home the likes of Hedged and Hanchi. The Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)-trained runner returns to the track and trip that saw her claims Listed success on Cox Plate Day last year, and she can keep her unbeaten record in tact at the Moonee Valley 1200m. She looks the best of an even bunch, but it is certainly a field job for the quaddie.

• 4
  

  GUMDROPS

• 13
  

  ISTHMUS

• 15
  

  COUNTYOURBLESSINGS

• 6
  

  INHIBITIONS

Race 10: BM84 Handicap (1200m)

Is It Me made his way nicely through the grades last campaign, including when finishing second behind subsequent Group winner Skybird first-up on October 8. The son of Iffraaj is a one time winner with two seconds when fresh from a spell, and from barrier three on the weekend draws to gain a perfect sit on the leaders. Is It Me can absorb that pressure and with a thunderous turn of foot can prove a touch too classy for BM84 level.

• 10
  

  IS IT ME
  

• 13
  

  XTRAVAGANT STAR

• 2
  

  GRAND IMPACT

• 15
  

  EXTRATWO