The Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights season comes to a close on Friday with the running of a star-studded edition of the William Reid Stakes.
All eight races are packed full of quality and our complete 2021 William Reid Stakes night tips can be found below.
Race 1 – 6:30pm AEDT – Evolve Interiors Handicap (1000m)
This is a very tricky way to start the night as the majority of this field will be making their racing debuts.
This is an impossible race to bet into with any confidence and I am happy to stay out, while looking for any leads from the market.
Race 2 – 7:00pm AEDT – Emma Boling Plate (1200m)
Snapper is absolutely flying this campaign and has clearly taken a serious liking to The Valley.
He has led from start to finish to score two classy wins on the trot and there is no reason why he can’t continue his winning ways.
Mike Moroney has placed him to perfection and he is great value at his current quote of $4.80.
Race 3 – 7:30pm AEDT – Ascend Sales Trophies Handicap (2040m)
Milliondollarbill is a great bet in what is a very open race at The Valley.
The Epaulette gelding has recorded two wins from his past three race starts and he still has a huge amount of upside.
Michael Poy rides The Valley extremely well and I expect to see him ride Milliondollarbill aggressively from the positive barrier to make his own luck right on the speed.
Race 4 – 8:00pm AEDT – Group 3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m)
Chica Fuerte is deserving of her status as a dominant favourite in Alexandra Stakes betting and she does look like one of the safest bets of the night.
She wasn’t beaten far in the Armanasco Stakes first-up and was beaten by the smallest possible margin in the Kewney Stakes.
This race isn’t any tougher and she is ready to return to winning form.
Race 5 – 8:30pm AEDT – Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Final
Lady Solly has already recorded two wins in the Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge this season and it would be fitting if she could conclude the Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights season with a win in the Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Final.
She claimed her first win in the Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge by four lengths in January and she proved that was no fluke when she beat Hidden Legend and Elderflower last start.
The wide barrier draw does make things a little bit tricky, but the $9.50 currently available is still well and truly over the odds.
Race 6 – 9:00pm AEDT – Group 2 Sunline Stakes (1600m)
This is a very open edition of the Sunline Stakes and it is one of the most open betting races of the night.
I think that In Good Health can produce an improved effort in the Sunline Stakes after being a touch flat in the Frances Tressady.
Luke Nolen elected to settle her in the second half of the field first-up, but she produced all her best form last campaign when she was ridden aggressively.
There isn’t a huge amount of speed in this race and I hope to see Nolen elect to dictate terms.
Race 7 – 9:30pm AEDT – Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m)
This is a simply outstanding edition of the William Reid Stakes and you can make a case for a number of horses in this field.
There is no doubt that the value lies with Hey Doc.
His record at The Valley is nothing short of outstanding and he has already won the Manikato Stakes over this track and distance on two occasions.
You can put a line through his first-up run, as it was virtually a barrier trial, and he will be ready to peak second-up.
Barrier five is ideal and he will get a lovely run in transit behind the hot speed.
I don’t want to lose on the race if Libertini gets the job done.
She will need some luck in running from the wide barrier draw, but her first-up run in the Premiere Stakes in the Spring was excellent and she is capable of a very high-rating performance on her day.
Race 8 – 10:00pm AEDT – Independent Turf Services Handicap (1200m)
This is a great way to finish the Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights season and we will be treated to a battle between two unbeaten fillies.
Maraabi is a deserving favourite, but I don’t think that there is as much between her and Passionate Lass as the current market suggests.
Passionate Lass scored two classy wins from as many starts in her maiden racing campaign and the fact that she has previously won at The Valley is an advantage.
Barrier one is ideal and Craig Williams will be able to settle her right on the speed.