Spring is here and we are set for a huge afternoon of racing at The Valley this Saturday.
We have analysed every race on the card and our complete 2021 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Qualifier Day tips can be found below.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – 12:30PM – PFD Food Services Handicap, (1500m)
Sandy Prince has recorded two wins on the trot and he is well-placed to continue his winning ways at The Valley on Saturday.
He has not given his rivals a chance in either of his past two race starts and his racing style is ideally suited to The Valley.
Craig Williams can take him straight to the front in the early stages of this contest and he will give his rivals something to run down.
Race 2 – 1:05PM – Drummond Golf Handicap, (1600m)
Mr Brightside is another galloper that can continue his winning ways at The Valley this afternoon.
He has now recorded three wins on the trot and the scary thing for his rivals is that he has improved each time that he has been seen at the races.
There isn’t a huge amount of speed in this race and Craig Williams should be able to settle him just behind the speed.
Race 3 – 1:40pm – Inglis 2022 Yearling Sales Series Plate, (1200m)
Generation lost no admirers with his third place finish in the Vain Stakes at Caulfield and he is well-placed to return to winning form at The Valley.
There is no doubt that this race is a genuine drop in quality and on exposed form he does have a genuine class edge over the rest of this field.
He does have early speed, which will allow Jye McNeil to ride him aggressively in the early stages of this contest and The Valley is a track that suits.
Race 4 – 2:15pm – Powerflo Solutions Handicap, (2040m)
This is one of the toughest betting races of the day and the market does look to have it just about right.
Heart Of Puissance is the best horse in this field.
The issue is his lack of consistency and you never really know what to expect from him.
Pancho was excellent last start, but you can make the same argument about him.
It is impossible to bet into this race with any real confidence and I am happy to stay out from a betting perspective.
Race 5 – 2:50pm – Group 2 McEwen Stakes, (1000m)
Portland Sky went to another level last preparation and he is well-placed to make a winning return to the races in the McEwen Stakes.
He was able to breakthrough for a maiden race win in the Oakleigh Plate and he proved that was no fluke when he finished second behind Masked Crusader in the William Reid Stakes.
The Deep Field entire has developed into a classy sprinter and I think he should prove too good for this field fresh.
Race 6 – 3:30pm – Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes, (1200m)
This is a fascinating edition of the Atlantic Jewel Stakes and I suspect it to be a strong form race going forward.
The way that she put away her rivals on debut was very classy and she does look like one of the leading fancies for the Thousand Guineas.
Barrier two does suit and she should get a lovely trail into the race with Damien Oliver in the saddle.
There is a chance that she is something fairly special and she can make a winning start to her Spring campaign.
Race 7 – 4:10pm – Listed Chautauqua Stakes, (1200m)
The Chautauqua Stakes is a very open race and you can make a case for a number of runners in this field.
There does look to be speed to burn in this contest and that could set the race up for a horse in the second half of the field.
Wild Planet is not the most consistent horse in the world, but he is capable of a high-rating effort on his day and he has won first-up in the past.
$7 appeals for a galloper of his quality in such an open race.
Race 8 – 4:50pm – Group 2 Feehan Stakes, (1600m)
Direct entry into the 2021 Ladbrokes Cox Plate is on the line in the Feehan Stakes.
The Chosen One will be better over further, but he has an excellent first-up record and there is an argument that he is the class runner in this field.
Last Spring he won first-up over 1700 metres at Flemington and in his Autumn campaign he was second at Group 1 level in the Herbie Dyke Stakes.
He was unlucky when he kicked off in this race a couple of years ago and barrier nine suits as Damian Lane will be able to get him up and running a long way from home.
It would not surprise to see him finish over the top of his rivals late at a nice price.
Race 9 – 5:20pm – Ladbroke It! Handicap, (1600m)
It would not surprise to see Think We’re Due pop up at a big price in this contest.
He has been racing fairly without being overly impressive, but he does run well at The Valley and there is very little speed in this contest.
He will give his rivals something to catch.
