We don’t have to wait until Saturday for Group 1 racing with the Group 1 Moir Stakes (Race 7) at Moonee Valley on Friday night kicking off a cracking weekend of racing.
Superstar sprinter Chautauqua is the pronounced favourite for the race and I can’t see anything beating him if he produces his best.
He comes into this first-up after blowing away a quality field in Hong Kong last start and his recent jump outs suggest the break has done him no harm at all.
The grey flash has drawn perfectly in barrier 5 and he’s unbeaten at the Valley and five from six first-up.
Next in the betting is the Mick Price-trained Extreme Choice who only has to carry 52kg.
He hasn’t been seen since his last start flop in the Golden Slipper, but if he can repeat his Blue Diamond Stakes performance, then he’ll be right in the finish.
The wide barrier in the 9 alley is a concern and I can’t back him because he’s well under the odds.
Buffering is also first-up and he’s chasing his fourth win in this Group 1 race.
He showed the world how good he is over in Dubai earlier this year and I expect his price to firm because every man and his dog will be on this veteran sprinter.
He’s a tough old horse and he’ll make his own luck up on the speed.
Lucky Hussler is a top class sprinter when right and his recent jump out suggests he has come back in very nice style this time in. He’ll box seat from barrier 2 and finish off strongly when asked.
Amongst the others, Redzel and Wild Rain are both unbeaten this time in, but they’ll need to lift again if they’re going to win this.