It is the beginning of an enormous weekend of racing, and 2021 Moir Stakes Night will light up The Valley this Friday.
The $1 million Group 1 Moir Stakes has drawn a typically smart and open field of sprinters, but there’s value to be plucked from all eight contests, and you can find my complete 2021 Moir Stakes Night Tips below.
5:15PM – Four’N Twenty Plate, (1200m) – No. 1 He’s Xceptional
The program launches with a quality three-year-olds race, but I am happy to stick with He’s Xceptional.
He’s Xceptional has gone a long way towards living up to his name since debuting, and he returned to the races this time for a lovely win over this route in the Listed McKenzie Stakes.
He steps out on Friday night third-up after another credible performance for fourth in the Exford Plate, and I think that a return to The Valley will pay dividends.
5:45PM – MSC Signs Handicap, (1200m) – No. 5 Jumbo Ozaki
I’m going to give Jumbo Ozaki another chance six weeks between runs at The Valley on Friday.
The enigmatic galloper returned to the races with a credible effort for fifth at Caulfield in late June, and he only just missed behind the talented King Magnus two back.
He was last seen tailing off to finish sixth behind Elephant, and I think that the decision to freshen him after that run could prove the world of difference in a race like this.
6:15pm – Group 2 Stutt Stakes, (1600m) – No. 3 Forgot You
The Stutt Stakes always tosses up a couple of genuine Neds Caulfield Guineas fancies, and I think that Forgot You will join the winner’s list this year.
Forgot You returned a nice effort to fill the minors behind Sunfall at Flemington when resuming, and he mustered an electric turn of foot to mow down Sandy Prince here at The Valley last time.
Fitter third-up, from the good draw and under Group 1 winner Daniel Moor, I really can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
6:45pm – Group 3 Scarborough Stakes, (1200m) – No. 5 Larkspur Run
This is an open edition of the Scarborough Stakes with plenty of winning chances, including Larkspur Run.
Larkspur Run was freshened after finishing at the tail of the field at Randwick in early August, and she closed well to finish second behind Zouzarella in the Listed Atlantic Jewel here upon returning earlier this month.
She’ll enjoy plenty of improvement for that hit-out and Willo rides from the ideal barrier 4.
7:15pm – Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Heat 1, (955m) – No. 2 Fine Dane
This is another open race, and I think that a horse like Fine Dane has claims on winning at a nice price.
Fine Dane needed his first run back when finishing down the order in Saturday company at Caulfield, but responded with an impressive effort to score back in class at Sandown in early August.
He was last seen finishing seventh in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes here, he is a previous winner at The Valley, and he’ll relish the drop in class.
7:45pm – Group 3 JRA Cup, (2040m) – No. 1 Homesman
Homesman hasn’t been seen at the races since June, but he is a multiple fresh winner, and I’m confident that his class will take him a long way towards winning the JRA Cup on Friday night.
The War Front gelding was outstanding during his recent autumn and winter prep, winning the Australian Cup and finishing second behind Zaaki in the Q22 most notably.
He has drawn an absolute peach in barrier 6 and Jye McNeil rides.
8:15pm – Group 1 Moir Stakes, (1000m) – No. 2 Wild Ruler
With most of our absolute top line sprinters up in Sydney, what a great an open race the Moir Stakes is set to be!
I’ve put Wild Ruler on top, but be sure to check out my full race preview and complete 2021 Moir Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.
8:45pm – Group 2 Stocks Stakes, (1600m) – No. 11 Impecunious
We’re faced with $5 the field in Stocks Stakes betting at publish, and as that would suggest, there is a case to be made for plenty of these mares.
The one that I am interest in is Impecunious ($13 at publish).
Impecunious returned plenty of pleasing efforts during her autumn prep earlier this year and filled the minors of the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes most notably.
She has clearly needed her first couple back this time to tune up, but she has typically required a couple in her previous preps, and getting out to a mile on Friday should prove ideal.