
Moonee Valley 25/10/2025
Track ā Good 4
Rail ā They await the Friday night meeting
A day of mixed emotions, the running of the best WFA race in the country and sadly the last on this famous layout as the track is being remodelled. We will still enjoy a great dayās racing with Via Sistina winning back-to-back Cox Plates in the last race before the bulldozers arrive.
R1-9
R2-8
R5-4 best of the day
R7-1
R1 ā #9 Tonkin (2 win units)
R2 – #8 Snow Mercy (2 win units)
R3 – No Bet
R4 – #5 Ruska Roma (1 win unit), #2 Prestige Snitzel (0.5 win unit)
R5 – #4 Future History (3 win units)
R6 ā #6 Movin Out (1.5 win units)
R7 – #1 Pinstriped (2 win units)
R8 – No Bet
R9 ā No Bet
R10 ā No Bet
Ā
TOTAL INVESTMENT ā 12 units
R1–Ā We kick off Cox Plate Day with a 1000M scamper and Iāve settled onĀ Tonkin.Ā This mare doesnāt know how to run a bad race, never finishing worse than 2ndĀ in 6 starts, including 4 victories. She won at her only trip to the course and is 4 from 5 at the distance. She draws great, Zac Lloyd is riding very well, and it will be hard to beat.
Beast ModeĀ will be its toughest opponent, he is another short course specialist, has performed well at The Valley previously, and gets Williams to steer.
PhilosopherĀ is ready to improve from a low draw, andĀ Major ShareĀ is also a chance in what is a very thin race.
Backing #9 Tonkin (2 win units)
R2-Ā Snow MercyĀ is flying lately and is my clear pick here. This filly was an excellent winner over this track and trip last start, gets a favourable barrier, Lachie Neindorf is an up-and-coming superstar rider, and the Stokes horses are always perfectly prepared. The $5.50 currently on offer is most appealing.
NapoleonicĀ arrives here from Sydney with JMac to ride and is the testing material. Its last start effort was full of merit, and a repeat will have it in the finish. The outside draw is a significant obstacle for it to overcome, I see it being a little easy in the market as a result.
St EdwardĀ is beautifully bred and is still learning all about this racing caper. He has managed to put a win and a second on his record from its 2 starts with having very little idea about whatās going on. When he figures it all out, we will see a potential top liner.
Prince TycoonĀ resumes after a nice first prep, he will race handy and give a great sight.
Backing #8 Snow Mercy (2 win units)
R3- A nice field of promising 3yo fillies awaits us here and itās certainly a very open race. This could be a watch and take notes race with many having limited starts and never having been to the track before.
I haveĀ Tres MagnifiqueĀ on top, this girl should get a nice run just off the speed and be put into the race coming to the corner. Her debut win was comprehensive and then it went well in a good quality event when not beaten that far. Zahra sticking of her latest effort is a positive sign.
ExceniaĀ has found one better at her two runs back from a spell, she has better than average ability and should peak here.
RohesiaĀ is honest and has the benefit of racing at the track/trip, she is hard fit and will be in the finish.
ProficientĀ was good when winning at her first trip to the races, she stargazed a little that day and without that would have won more decisively, if she has learnt from that then she could be the biggest improver.
No Bet
R4- I am backing two runners here; the Begg trainedĀ Ruska RomaĀ and the Matt Laurie fillyĀ Prestige Snitzel.
Ruka RomaĀ was a nice effort last start when having little luck back on the fence, that followed a weirdly run race at Caulfield where the pace was maniacal at stages. I see this being run more to her liking and she should be tough at the business end.
Prestige SnitzelĀ is ready to improve markedly now its stepping out in trip, she will get a cushy run just off midfield and be finishing off strongly at juicy odds.
The two faves,Ā Salty PearlĀ andĀ EnviableĀ are both good chances although the current prices of each are too skinny for my liking.
Backing #5 Ruska Roma (1 win unit), #2 Prestige Snitzel (0.5 win unit)
R5- My best bet of the day fronts up here in the shape ofĀ Future History. He has plenty of pointers to support him here, great stats at the track/distance and fourth up. Its worth noting that is has had 3 starts 4thĀ up for 2 wins and a 2nd. From barrier two Zahra can elect to either lead of take a sit if there is pressure, there doesnāt seem to be much of that here. Last start it was made to work early to take up a forward position and its effort to tough it out late was meritorious. He is ready to explode here.
Naval CollegeĀ has had 2 runs back from a spell and Iām expecting an improvement off recent efforts. He draws nicely, Micky Dee will give him every chance, the stable are flying, and he boasts nice numbers when 3rdĀ up.
Middle EarthĀ is the class runner and can run a big race,Ā Point KingĀ is a massive query, he ran well when first up in the Spring, andĀ Casino SeventeenĀ was good late in the Coongy, he can figure in the money.
Backing #4 Future History (3 win units)
R6- The best value play of the day is the Waller trainedĀ Movin Out. This mare has been screaming out to get to 2000M and she finds that here. She meets a moderate lot here, draws to get a soft run in transit, Melham is riding very well and has won on her previously. The $14 seems generous to me.
Sheās UnusualĀ has been going well in Sydney recently and is an ultra-consistent conveyance, Zac Lloyd is also going very well. I like the fact it is drawn inside Sheās A Hustler too, Zac will be able to monitor its every move.
Sheās A HustlerĀ is a lovely mare who has been fabulously placed by the Begg stable, she finds her toughest test to date and a wide barrier, taking those factors into consideration, I couldnāt take anything like the $2.80 on offer. She is still a good chance, just not at that price.
JennilalaĀ will run her usual honest race and will be around the placings.
Backing #6 Movin Out (1.5 win units)
R7- The topweightĀ PinstripedĀ wonāt know itself here, heās only ever been to the Valley 1600M once before and that day he accounted for a very good field in a Group 2 race. Whilst he hasnāt won for some time, I feel he has been working towards a big run and that could well be here. He drops in class off recent efforts, draws perfectly, and Craig Williams will give him every chance. The $8 appeals.
Golden PathĀ is another who has been contesting harder races than this, he has positive factors with the barrier and Shinn, but the negative is he is untried at the track. He canāt be dismissed.
Von HaukeĀ is a horse I have always followed, he will win a decent race one day, could this be it? He must go into the quaddy.
Rise At DawnĀ is a winner and the only time he went around at the track/trip he was successful. He will race on speed and gets a nice draw and an excellent jockey.
Backing #1 Pinstriped (2 win units)
R8- Wow is this race a doozy, I canāt be confident at all with the number of angles presented.
For the record, I likeĀ Vestas, its run first up was that of a smart horse, Iām not sure if this is his track though. The Melham/McDonald combo is a very good one as is the draw; I would like to see some stable support before I bet.
Charm StoneĀ is the one they must beat, its win first up at this track/trip was top class. A repeat probably has him winning. The outside barrier is a concern; Shinn is the man to overcome it though.
Bridal WaltzĀ is another quality mare, she rarely if ever runs a bad race, it wont surprise if she wins.
KlabelĀ could be the knockout, if he gets a run when required then he could dart through and surprise.
No Bet
R9- The penultimate andĀ ObserverĀ looks the one they all must beat. He was an enormous run in the Guineas, and this is an easier assignment. If he has taken no harm from that run, then he is a massive chance. At this stage I probably wont bet as the $2 is under what I have him marked, especially with its sticky draw.
OāsheamusĀ is lightly raced and up in class, he needs luck from an inside barrier as he will be back in the field. If they go nuts in front and the field opens up, then he could blouse them late. I think heās going places and must be considered here. Flemington over the carnival might be his target.
ProvidenceĀ is looking for the 2000M and if he had drawn better, I would promote him higher, he is another who will settle back and appreciate a good tempo, watch for him late.
OptionsĀ is honest and is another who draws out, he will need luck but canāt be forgotten.
No Bet
R10- So this is it, the last ever race at this wonderful circuit as it currently sits.
Iām thinkingĀ Via SistinaĀ goes back-to-back, she ran the numbers off the clock last year, and whilst she isnāt going as well, Iām thinking this was always her target. Waller has always said that this was her race, and he is a master of having them peak at the perfect time.
AntinoĀ is the danger, with the pace now gone with Globeās scratching does Shinn take off at the 800M to steal a march, I certainly hope so. We want the last edition of this historic race to be one for the ages. Aeliana
AelianaĀ is another that has targeted this race, she is a high-class mare and if they take off too early then she could be the one storming over the top of them.
TreasurethemomentĀ has been a tad disappointing to some recently, that said she hasnāt been awful. It may be the leader now and if they let her dictate then that could play into her hands.
NepotismĀ gets nice weight relief as a 3yo and is looking for this trip now, he has better than a flukers chance and must go into the quaddy.
R1-9xx,7,6,5
R2-8xx,2,4,1
R3-12,11,4,10
R4-backing 5x & 2ā¦1,3
R5-4xxx best/day,6,1,2??,3
R6-6x great value,9,8,1
R7-1xx,5,7,4
R8-tricky 9,5,8,4 rough chance @ odds
R9-1x,6,5,3
R10-6x,2,8,7,9
Best of luck if youāre playing.
Heading into this weekendās gallops at Moonee Valley, weāre watching form lines, barrier draws and a track that favours forward runners to bring some fresh racing tips into the mix.