The 2019 McKenzie Stakes headlines another big day of racing at Moonee Valley this Saturday and with Spring just around the corner there will be plenty to get excited about!
Promising three year old Hightail heads the market for the McKenzie Stakes but there are plenty of challengers.
Paramount Liquor Handicap (1600m) – 12:20PM
Shot Of Irish is on the quick back-up following his third place finish behind Age Of Chivalry at Caulfield last weekend and the form coming out of that race should be strong. His win before that at Ladbrokes Park was excellent and if he can maintain that sort of form he will prove very tough to beat.
Recommended Bet: 2 Units Shot Of Irish – Bet Now!
Sweeney Estate Agents Handicap (2500m) – 12:55PM
More Than Ever made it three wins on the trot with a dominant victory at The Valley last start and the scary thing for his rivals is that he still has the scope to improve. This race isn’t much stronger than the field that he beat last start and he will get the run of the race with Jamie Kah in the saddle. Lock in juicy odds with Fixed Odds +30%.
Recommended Bet: 2.5 Units More Than Ever – Bet Now!
Palentino 1st Crop Yearlings Plate (1200m) – 1:30PM
Taraayef has recorded two wins from her three race starts and she was particularly impressive at The Valley last start where she ran some of the quickest closing sectionals of the day. She gives the impression that the step-up to 1200 metres will be ideal and she still has some upside to improve. With even luck in running, she will prove tough to beat again.
Recommended Bet: 2 Units Taraayef – Bet Now!
Dr Sheahan Plate (1200m) – 2:05PM
This is one of the toughest betting races of the day and there are a host of winning chances. Algadon Miss has recorded four wins from her eight race starts and she produced a career best performance when she scorched home to win at Caulfield last start. I don’t think that she needs to get as far back in the run from barrier five and she will prove tough to hold out late.
Recommended Bet: 2 Units Algadon Miss – Bet Now!
Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) – 2:45PM
There are only six runners in the Carlyon Stakes, but it is still an interesting race. Spirit Of Valor was one of the surprise packages of the Spring last year for Aidan O’Brien and he finished in the placings in both the Schillaci Stakes and the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes before he wasn’t disgraced in the VRC Sprint Classic. He has now join the stable of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and if he can maintain that sort of form he will be tough to beat.
The value betting proposition is Oak Door. He returned from a lengthy lay-off to win the Sir John Monash Stakes in impressive fashion and he has been kept fresh for this contest. The Commands gelding still has the upside to improve on that win and he is well and truly over the odds at $9.
Recommended Bet: 2 Units Spirit Of Valor – Bet Now!
Recommended Bet: 1 Unit Oak Door – Bet Now!
Ladbrokes Odds Boost Handicap (1519m) – 3:25PM
Vinland recorded an impressive win at Flemington last start and there is no reason that he can’t make it back-to-back wins. He savaged the line in that contest and the step-up to 1500 metres should be ideal for him. Jamie Kah will be able to settle him just behind the leaders from barrier one and he should improve second-up.
Recommended Bet: 2 Units Vinland – Bet Now!
Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) – 4:05PM
Hightail was not the most consistent horse as a two-year-old, but he did produce a couple of high-rating performances in races like the Magic Millions Classic and the Ladbrokes Showdown. He always gave the impression that he might be better as a three-year-old and his two barrier trials ahead of his return to the races have been nothing short of outstanding. Damian Lane will be forced to settle him in the second half of the field, but he will be flying home in the concluding stages.
Recommended Bet: 2 Units Hightail – Bet Now!
Ranvet Handicap (1200m) – 4:45PM
Terbium is one of the shortest-priced favourites of the day at The Valley and he is clearly the horse to beat. He started his career with four straight wins, including an impressive victory in the Zeditave Stakes, and he wasn’t disgraced when he was beaten as favourites in the Euclase Stakes. On his best form, he has a class edge over the rest of this field and his barrier trial win at Cranbourne suggests that he is fairly forward for his return to the races.
Recommended Bet: 3 Units Terbium – Bet Now!
MSC Signs Handicap (2040m) – 5:20PM
Inverloch has won his past two race starts by a combined total of seven and a half lengths and there is no reason that he can’t continue on his winnings ways. He has drawn a wide barrier, but he does have plenty of early speed and Linda Meech will ride him aggressively to ensure that he is able to find the front. The Fastnet Rock gelding will give his rivals something to chase.
Masculino is becoming an expensive horse for punters after a string of second place finishes, but I am willing to give him another chance. There has been nothing wrong with his past few race starts and he should get a lovely run in transit just behind the leaders.
Recommended Bet: 1 Unit Inverloch – Bet Now!
Recommended Bet: 1 Unit Masculino – Bet Now!