Draw to aid speedster
The Valley, G1 Charter Keck Cramer Moir S., $1,000,000, 1000m
Nature Strip (Nicconi) failed to settle when he raced near the speed and was beaten into fourth in the G3 Concorde S. at Randwick in his season opener.
From the inside gate, he may be most potent if allowed to bowl along in front on a track where he has won twice from four appearances.
Nature Strip has won twice from four appearances on the Moonee Valley track
Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}) hasn’t raced since he won the G1 Stradbroke H., but he’s had a couple of recent trials and his record of two first-up wins has to be seriously taken into account.
Faatinah (Nicconi) won the G2 McEwen S. over this course and distance on his return, but the outside gate here will make a repeat performance difficult. The consistent Bons Away (Bon Hoffa) and Eduardo (Host {Chi}) placed in the McEwen and with handier gates may be better chances.
Sunlight (Zoustar) wasn’t her usual self when fifth in the G3 Concorde S., but on her best form she can’t be under-estimated while the veteran Ball Of Muscle (Dubawi {Ire}) was sound on his return at Caulfield and he’s a four-time winner.
The Bostonian (NZ) has an imposing fresh record – unbeaten in five first-up appearances
The Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) was a star of the Queensland carnival with a pair of Group 1 wins and if he gets some early luck from a tricky gate he will be competitive. He also has an imposing fresh record – unbeaten in five first-up appearances.
Last season’s G1 Galaxy winner Booker (Written) has improved with her run in the McEwen, but whether she is sharp enough to be competitive at 1000 metres is debatable. Assertive Approach (Akeed Mofeed {GB}) faces the sternest test of his career, but has looked extra good to this point.
Conditions to suit
The Valley, G2 MCS Signs Stutt S., $200,000, 1600m
Power Scheme (Fiorente {Ire}) opened his 3-year-old season in impressive style on this course earlier this month when he gave weight and a beating to his age group rivals.
He carried 60kg on that occasion and the David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained gelding is now ideally-suited to the set weight conditions.
Power Scheme (red blinkers)
Power Scheme’s stablemate Conqueror (Fastnet Rock) chased him home last time out, with a subsequent Caulfield winner in Skiddaw (Hinchinbrook) in third spot, giving Lindsay Park a strong hand.
Legionnaire (Stratum) won the Listed Exford Plate last time out so he’s at the top of his game while The Holy One (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) has won two of his last three starts and looms as a place prospect.
Hinchpin (Hinchinbrook) was Group placed last season and while out of the frame when resuming, he was less than 2l off Legionnaire at Flemington and should strip fitter for the run.
Princess to star
The Valley, G2 Four’N Twenty Stocks S., $200,000, 1600m
Last season’s G1 Schweppes Oaks winner Princess Jenni (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) ran seventh in the G2 Let’s Elope S. on her return and will no doubt have benefitted from the outing.
A step up in distance will suit the mare and she is unbeaten in two previous second-up appearances for trainer David Brideoake.
A step up in distance should suit Princess Jenni (NZ)
Rondinella (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) is a multiple Group 1 placegetter and while this distance is short of her best, she is fresh enough to give a bold account and fellow New Zealand-trained mare Consensus (NZ) (Postponed {USA}) won the G2 Sunline S. over this course and trip last season.
Miss Siska (So You Think {NZ}) stuck on gamely for second in the Let’s Elope S. and a similar performance would see the 6-year-old claiming another slice of the prize in this.
Oceanex (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and Tides (Fastnet Rock), a sister to the top-quality mare Shoals, are facing rises in class, but in the right form to take up the challenge.
Tides, sister to Shoals should take up the challenge if in the right form
All eyes on Gaby
The Valley, G3 Piper-Heidsieck Scarborough S., $200,000, 1200m
Talented filly Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) met and matched the best juveniles last season and she has pleased trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace ahead of her return.
She has class aplenty and will need it here against a strong line-up that also features Exhilarates (Snitzel), who won the Listed Atlantic Jewel S. on her last visit to The Valley.
Loving Gaby has pleased trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
Villami (Foxwedge) was narrowly beaten by Libertini (I Am Invincible) in the G2 Furious S. and if she gets some early luck from a wide alley she will prove hard to handle.
Absolute Flirt (Stratum) is as genuine as they come, but another minor berth looks the most likely outcome for her and another place chance while Loving Gaby’s barn mate Charleise (Foxwedge) won her maiden in style at Geelong and a chance at longer odds.
Villami will prove hard to handle if she gets some early luck
Improvement expected
The Valley, G3 Ladbrokes JRA Cup, $200,000, 2040m
Yucatan (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) wasn’t sighted in his spring opener in the G1 Makybe Diva S., but the step up in trip will be to his liking. He showed his staying talent last season when he won the G2 Herbert Power with minimum effort.
Glory Days (NZ) (Red Giant {USA}) impressed with her effort for fifth in her Australian debut and there’s more to come from the G1 Auckland Cup winner over ground while Moshe Music (Moshe) and Kentucky Breeze (Pierro) won their last starts well enough to be considered again.
Captain Cook (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) has been consistent this campaign and he wouldn’t need to improve much to be a player again.
Yucatan (Ire) wasn’t sighted in his spring opener in the G1 Makybe Diva S., but the step up in trip will be to his liking.
