Racing returns to The Valley for Carlyon Stakes Day this weekend, with an exciting nine race program scheduled with some great betting opportunities all throughout the card.
The track is currently rated a Good 4 and with hot weather expected in Melbourne, participants will be met with a firm surface, likely upgraded to the Good 3 range.
The rail is true the entire circuit, at this set-up, it will likely be a big advantage to be on speed.
Moonee Valley Race 4 Tip #3 Wings Of Pastrami $5.50
Wings Of Pastrami looks a good bet here in Race 4, coming off the back of a very gallant run at Flemington over the mile where he finished in front of Power Scheme in a very strong BM90 race.
She was forced very deep on the turn in that clash, and closed off well in running the second fastest last 200m split of the race. Power Scheme then went on to finish second in a Group 3, showing that the form is stacking up nicely from the race.
Back to fillies and mares BM78 grade here suits, and I'm expecting her to peak fifth-up and sticking to the mile.
In a race lacking tempo, I expect them to push across from the widest barrier and find a position handy to the speed.
The mare has performed well when on-pace in previous encounters and she also has good form here at the track, with a very close second place finish behind Overkill over 1200m.
She is fit and forward, the dry track suits and she should be much closer in the market to November Dreaming and Re Edit, both of which have massive queries on them.
Moonee Valley Race 9 Tip #5 Sondelon $15.00
In what looks a very tricky race with a fast tempo expected, I'm happy enough to speck Sondelon on an each-way basis.
He comes here first-up off two jump outs, and he has looked very sharp in both of them. The latest was at Mornington over 900m where he jumped quickly to lead, and won the heat under a big hold through the line.
It looks as though he has come back in very good order, and he has a strong fresh record to go along with it too.
Four first-up runs have resulted in two wins and two thirds, meaning he has never missed a top three finish when fresh.
Although most of his 16 career starts have been over middle distances, he boasts a first-up victory in Sydney over 1250m and the genuine speed in this race will suit.
The query is the wide draw, as from barrier 10 he will need to step quickly and push on to either lead or sit outside the lead.
There is a lot of speed drawn inside him including the likes of Overkill, Bandersnatch and Our Luca. So if he misses the jump or hesitates to cross, he could be caught deep without cover and that could be game over.
However at the $15 mark, he is a worthy bet in the last.