Tuesday 16th January: Cranbourne Preview by Dean McHugh

Due to wet weather, Tuesday’s Yarra Valley card has been relocated to Cranbourne. The early decision taken by Racing Victoria has ensured that a high-quality card of eight races will remain, and the action both on and off the track looks set to be fierce.

As always, it’s our aim to try to find you some great value throughout the card. Here are some of our best bets for Tuesday 16th January.

Race 1: Ladbroke It! Maiden Plate (1000m)

A field of eleven horses will head down to post for Tuesday’s first race, the Ladbroke It! Maiden Plate. Several horses look to have a serious chance, but it’s the Cindy Alderson-trained Redoute’s Night who is expected to start as the favourite.

Yet to win in any of his four career starts, he has finished second once but has finished outside the places in each of his last three races. Despite finishing fourth when last seen 19 weeks ago, four of the horses from that race have gone on to win since, and that form looks rock solid.

If you are worried that Redoute’s Night may turn up needing the run, Parori and Qubella look like great alternative selections.

Race 2: Ladbrokes Odds Surge Maiden Plate (1200m)

The Ladbrokes Odds Surge Maiden Plate looks like one of the most competitive races of the day, with eighteen horses having been declared.

Races of this nature can often throw up unlikely winners, and there are plenty of horses that look capable of winning this contest.

Likely to start as the favourite is Alletante, who has finished third in two of her last three starts. At almost triple the price, Lonjourno could be worth a second look. Like Alletante, he has also finished third in two of his last three contests and looks backable at an attractive price.

Cable Glow and Irresistible Sir also look capable of landing the spoils.

Race 3: Ladbrokes Communities Plate (1500m)

Finding winners doesn’t get any easier in the Ladbrokes Communities Plate, as another loaded field of 18 is due to head down to post.

Tosen Warrior looks like one of the most intriguing horses on Tuesday’s card. Having only raced three times, he is likely to dominate the betting following his second-place finish last time out. His trainer, Luke Oliver, has reached for the blinkers, and there are high hopes that the addition of eyewear could help his charge cross the line first.

Street Seeker will be making the first start of her career but is well bred. Greenness could dent her chances, but she could land a major blow on debut. 

Moon Lightning and Savea are others who should prove popular in the betting.

Race 4: Ladbrokes Racing Club Maiden Plate (2025m)

The last of the Maiden races on Tuesday’s card is the Ladbrokes Racing Club Maiden Plate. As one of the least exposed horses in the field and following a decent third-place finish two starts ago, Iceberry looks set to start as the horse the rest of the field will need to beat. 

Other interesting runners are Bremen, Gunnafly and Swinging High. Although she is set to start at a huge price, Summer Light has finished second in two of her last three starts. Those runs came at a lower level than this race, but she will arrive at the race in good form.

Race 5: Ladbrokes Blackbook (2025m)

The fifth race of Tuesday’s card is the Ladbrokes Blackbook. In what looks like the most wide-open contest of the day, Sycamore looks set to shade the betting.

A winner six starts ago, her last three races have yielded second, third and fourth-place finishes. In a field where many arrive out of form, her consistency should stand her in good stead.

Grand Touraine was a winner three starts back but has finished outside of the places in each of his last two starts; her connections will be hoping for a response here. The same can be said of Tallawah, who will be looking to return to the winner’s circle after a desperately poor showing when last seen on track.

Race 6: Ladbrokes Owners Incentive Scheme (1000m)

A high-class race awaits in the Ladbrokes Owners Incentive Scheme, with a couple of last-time-out winners preparing to do battle.

Arroance and Tornado’s Sister both tasted success when last seen, and both will hope to continue the winning thread here. They won’t have it all their own way, as Legacy Rose looks likely to rate as a serious danger.

A winner two starts ago, her fifth-place finish last time out can be ignored due to a poor start. She battled hard to recover and only lost out by a length. Granted a cleaner start, she could be the one to back.

Race 7: Ladbrokes Same Race Multi (1200m)

Another brilliant contest awaits in the Ladbrokes Same Race Multi, and there look to be several horses in with a great chance of victory.

Crown Crusher looks set to be popular in the betting but does have something to find following a winless run of six races. 

If you are looking to find a horse bang in form, then Octrain could be the horse for you. A consistent type, he was a good winner last time out and has recorded two wins from his last seven starts. Whilst the handicapper hasn’t been the kindest, his recent form can’t be ignored, and he could be a real player at a price.

Yongtai is another who must warrant serious consideration. One of the least exposed horses in the field, she has recorded a victory and a third-place finish in two of her three career starts and looks highly progressive. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see her in the shakeup once again.

Race 8: Ladbrokes Bet Ticker (1500m)

Yarra Valley’s relocated card concludes with the Ladbrokes Bet Ticker, and the card looks set to go out with a bang.

In another competitive betting heat, DancingintheDark looks like one of the strongest horses in the contest. Remarkably consistent, he is never far from the places but will be looking for a first win in seven.

Several other runners arrive bang in form. Not A Brass Razoo and First Commandment were victorious last time out, and Fuzz Buzz, Albanian Icon, Hawkestone, and Batahi were all runners-up.

One horse who warrants a second look is Shal Exceed. This will be just his third start, and he was super impressive when winning last time out. He could be one for the future and is a fascinating contender.