Night racing returns to Moonee Valley this week, with a deep card highlighted by the Group 1 Moir Sakes and its a worthy support act to the JRA Cup.
Run over the 1000m scamper, the Moir is always a fascinating spectacle for punters. This year's field features a typical mix of old sprinting hard heads and a number of plucky young three-year-old contenders.
The JRA Cup has attracted a high quality field and looks a competitive betting affair, where punters will be well rewarded for finding the winner.
In the staying contest, I am with one that has significant speed map favours and should receive every chance from out in front.
Meanwhile in the Moir, another horse blessed with tactical early speed can prove too strong at a healthy price ($8).
The track is currently rated a Good 3, with the rail situated in the True position for the entire circuit.
With rain predicted for Thursday and Friday in Melbourne, expect to be racing in at least the Slow range come race day.
In recent meetings when the surface has been rain affected, it has been difficult for those racing back in the field to make ground.
A close watch for this pattern in the earlier races is advised.
Expect Tavirun (10) to work across steadily from the wide draw and take control, in a race which lacks a strong tempo on paper.
Both Quick Thinker (7) and Plein Ciel (2) can also push forward to race close-to-speed, and are likely to sit just in behind Tavirun.
Expect those racing in the first half of the field to be suited and if the leaders get it cheap, watch them kick off the front and win.
Best of the run-on profiles is Al Galayel (5), who will have his work cut out off a sluggish tempo but does have the turn of foot to get home hard.
At the current price ($3.30) I have to oppose favourite Al Galayel here, and I expect punters to achieve a much better price as we approach start time.
He will get back in what is likely to be a moderately run race and need luck to pick his way through, or burn plenty of energy if they choose to sweep wide.
Expect the bigger model players to take him on late and he could be a significant market drifter.
Tavirun should bounce straight to the lead here and appears likely to get away with some cheap sectionals from out in front.
If the pressure does not come, he will give a strong kick off the front and prove very hard to run down.
Quick Thinker and Plein Ciel both receive speed map favours and have the class edge on many of these.
The former as a top class last season three-year-old, who was not out of place taking on the Sydney elite last campaign.
He will take good improvement off the first up run.
I'm happy to oppose Al Galayel, however he does have a good turn of foot to get home hard when it's all over and can run into the top 4 for exotics players.
Best at odds ($18) is Vin De Dance, who has a touch of class and raced well here last start behind the highly talented Creedence.
1st Tavirun
2nd Quick Thinker
3rd Plein Ciel
4th Al Galayel
The big one on the card is always a high octane dash over the Moonee Valley 1000m scamper, and you can expect no different here.
Pippie (5) is a mad leader and should be the one with the natural speed to burn them all off in the initial stages.
Expect both Hey Doc (11) and Jungle Edge (10) to negate their wide draws early and look to speed across and take a position in the first few.
Fabergino (8) also enjoys racing on-speed and will be part of the early fireworks.
The run-on profile of Trekking (2) could be well suited by the warp speed tempo and race shape.
WA star Fabergino is very good and will need to be just that when absorbing the pressure of a Group 1 1000m Moonee Valley event.
I don't doubt her ability, however on this occasion I have a number of the local hard heads ahead of her.
They love to keep her fresh and the first up record (7:7-0-0) is perfect.
I could not talk you out of backing her, however there is a query over how she will handle the early pressure.
Pippie has the superior early dash and can break their hearts here from out in front.
She has the perfect draw in gate 5 and with Damian Lane steering, is likely to make no mistakes.
Diamond Effort is a must include at the price ($11). She comes here off an impressive first-up run at Caulfield, where she trucked along three-wide and still won as she liked.
The mare just needs to handle her first look at the Valley to be in the finish.
Trekking loves a hot tempo and no doubt gets that here. He is the one unleashing hell on them all late and with a touch of luck picking his way through or around, can come into contention.
The market has Away Game as the best three-year-old and she could achieve some lofty heights this Spring. A must include in everything!
1st Pippie
2nd Diamond Effort
3rd Trekking
4th Away Game
For a list of all the tipsters who have posted Moonee Valley tips for Friday night's racing meet, checkout the dedicated page at theGreatTipOff.com.