The racing action is really starting to heat up in Melbourne and we will be treated to an intriguing meeting at The Valley this Saturday.
We have analysed all the action on the card and our complete 2021 McKenzie Stakes Day tips can be found below.
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Race 1 – 12:50PM – Roll The Dice Racing Plate, (1200m)
Zapateo has recorded two wins from her three race starts and she looks like a filly with plenty of talent.
She showed a lovely turn-of-foot to finish over the top of her rivals at The Valley last start and she does give the impression that she will be better suited over 1200 metres.
Barrier four is perfect and Damien Oliver should be able to settle her closer to the speed than he did last start.
Race 2 – 1:25PM – Dr Sheahan Plate, (1200m)
This is probably the trickiest betting race of the day and it is a contest that I’m not overly keen to get involved in from a betting perspective.
There isn’t any speed in this race whatsoever and I wouldn’t be surprised if Jamie Kah took control of the race on Sugartown.
She has been racing well without winning and she may never have a better chance to get another victory on the board.
Race 3 – 2:05pm – Stuart Murray Handicap, (1200m)
Front Page is a horse with serious speed and The Valley could prove to be the perfect track for him.
He showed his quality when he bolted in to win the A.R. Creswick Stakes at Flemington last year and he wasn’t disgraced behind From Within at Caulfield.
The Magnus gelding has had a long time off the scene, but his barrier trial win at Wagga suggests that he is going well and he will make his own luck right on the speed.
Race 4 – 2:45pm – Tony Gulliver Handicap, (1600m)
Nudge Bar failed to fire at The Valley last start, but did have genuine excuses and I am confident that he is a better horse than that effort suggests.
This is another contest that doesn’t look to have a huge amount of speed and Craig Newitt should be able to find the front fairly comfortably.
There is no doubt that the mile is his best trip and if he produces anything like his best form he will be right in the mix.
Race 5 – 3:25pm – Ladbroke It Handicap, (2500m)
It has been a while between race wins for Tavirun, but this does look like the right contest for him.
There isn’t a huge amount of early speed in this race and it would not surprise to see Matthew Cartwright ride him aggressively in the early stages.
He is always thereabouts at The Valley and I expect him to be in the finish once again.
Race 6 – 4:05pm – Listed McKenzie Stakes, (1200m)
Jigsaw is well-placed to return to winning form in the McKenzie Stakes.
He was beaten as a short-priced favourite at The Valley last start, but there was still merit in the performance and I wouldn’t be sacking him off that effort.
Ben Melham can ride him aggressively from barrier nine and he will make his own luck right on the speed, while the likes of Hilal will be a long way back.
The fitness edge could be key here and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up starting the race as an odds-on favourite once again.
Race 7 – 4:40pm – Ranvet Handicap, (2040m)
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have a strong hand in this contest and I am confident that either Heart Of Puissance or Grand Promenade will win this contest.
Heart Of Puissance returned to winning form at the end of last campaign and he is still a horse that has plenty of upside.
I don’t want to lose on the race if he is able to get the job done.
Grand Promenade is the value runner though.
He simply never produces a poor performance and there is no doubt that he has gone to another level this preparation.
The Champs Elysees gelding has won his past two starts by a combined total of seven lengths and he gives the impression that The Valley will be absolutely perfect for him.
John Allen can ride him aggressively from barrier eight and he will give his rivals something to catch.
Race 8 – 5:15pm – Listed Carlyon Stakes, (1000m)
Ancestry has recorded three wins from as many race starts at The Valley and I am confident that he can maintain that unbeaten record in the Carlyon Stakes.
There is no doubt that Ancestry is one of the fastest sprinters in the country and he has developed an excellent relationship with jockey Michael Poy.
Poy will let a fast horse run fast and he should prove too speedy for the rest of this field.
Race 9 – 5:45pm – Cox Plate Multi Membership Handicap, (1500m)
Groundswell returned to winning form with a tough front-running effort at Flemington and he can make it two wins on the trot.
He ran serious time when he won at The Valley on Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes night last year and a repeat of that effort would make him very tough to beat.
Ben Melham can ride him aggressively from the wide barrier draw and he will give his rivals something to catch.