Race 5 – Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Series 1 Final (955m)
Power Of The Brave – $11.00 win / $3.20 place
Speedy gelding resuming from a short break and has found the right race first-up. Boasts strong provincial form and is a genuine on-pace type who thrives around tight-turning tracks like the Valley. Has trialled well, maps perfectly from gate two, and gets weight relief with the claim. If he jumps cleanly, expect him to give a bold sight.
One Hard Lady – $5.50 win / $2.10 place
Talented mare with a slick record at the trip, winning four from four between 950 and 1000 metres. Has the tactical speed to take full advantage of barrier one and thrives when she can control from the front. The recent Moonee Valley win under similar conditions was sharp, and she’ll strip fitter for that. A proven short-course specialist, hard to beat again.
Fieldelo – $2.00 win / $1.30 place
Lightly raced but stacked with ability, and resumes here with an outstanding first-up record. Her trials have been top-shelf, including a strong effort beating One Hard Lady at Seymour. Has the class edge and should camp just behind the leaders before letting down powerfully late. If she handles the Valley’s unique layout, she’s the one they’ll all be chasing.
Race 6 – Mittys VOBIS Gold Star (1496m)
Apulia – $5.00 win / $2.00 place
Group-performed galloper resuming for the Hayes camp and boasts a high-class formline through last spring. Excellent fresh record and trialled smartly ahead of this. Handles the Valley, and his best efforts around 1500m make him a leading player. Expect him to settle midfield and be charging late under Dee’s polished hands.
Raikoke – $3.10 win / $1.60 place
Flying since resuming and looks set to continue that form. Brilliant winner at Sandown two back, then battled gamely in tougher grade last start. Drops back to a preferred distance and gets Damian Lane – a huge tick. Races best when he can control tempo or sit handy, and the Valley suits that running pattern. Genuine winning chance.
Enna’s Dream – $6.50 win / $2.40 place
Honest mare who never runs a bad race and brings excellent recent consistency. Her close-up efforts at the Valley and Sandown show she’s thriving in this grade. Drawn to get a soft run and finishes off hard. Always gives her backers value and looms as the main danger to the top pair.
Acta Non Verba – $9.50 win / $3.20 place
Progressive gelding who’s building a solid record this prep. Last start third at Sandown reads well for this class, and Williams taking the ride adds confidence. Loves a genuine tempo and gets it here. If he can slot in with cover early, he’ll be right in the finish at solid odds.
Race 7 – Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m)
Brayden Star (GB) – $9.50 win / $3.00 place
In terrific form this campaign and comes off a strong Herbert Power win. Loves a genuine staying test and has the right turn of foot for the Valley. Williams retains the ride, and if he can slot in from a wide gate, he’ll be fighting out the finish again. Proven at Group level and looks primed to peak here.
Smokin’ Romans (NZ) – $7.50 win / $2.60 place
Seasoned stayer who thrives at this trip and has two wins from two attempts at the Valley 2500m. Ran well in the Herbert Power and strips even fitter now. Handles all surfaces and gets in well at the weights. Expect Melham to roll forward and control the tempo – huge winning chance if he dictates terms.
Gilded Water (GB) – $2.80 win / $1.40 place
Class horse of the race, flying this prep and knocking on the door of a big win. Ran third in The Bart Cummings before a dominant Caulfield success. Stays all day, draws perfectly in gate two, and gets a cosy run. On form, he’s the clear top pick and looks incredibly hard to beat.
So You Are – $16.00 win / $4.80 place
Northern visitor with a tidy recent record in Queensland staying races. Faces a big class rise but racing too well to ignore. Draws wide but if he lobs midfield with cover, expect him to grind home late for a placing. A great roughie for exotics and trifectas.
Race 8 – Treasury Collective Handicap (1600m)
He’ll Rip – $7.00 win / $2.40 place
Consistent miler from the Corstens yard who always gives his all. Strong recent Flemington win over 1420m and now gets back to his ideal trip. Handles the Valley, maps perfectly just off the speed, and Ben Allen knows him inside out. Genuine threat in a deep race.
Presser – $8.50 win / $2.60 place
Ultra-consistent type who keeps finding the line. Proven over the mile and loves a high-pressure race. Mertens will stalk the speed and look for the split turning for home. Fit, reliable, and never far away – expect another top-three effort.
Nation’s Call (IRE) – $13.00 win / $3.60 place
Talented import still finding his groove in Australia but not far off a breakthrough. Recent Caulfield runs have been solid, and back to this distance suits perfectly. If he gets tempo to suit, expect a strong late surge. Capable of surprising at odds.
Inncourt (IRE) – $4.40 win / $1.85 place
Progressive import with an excellent strike rate and trending the right way. Dominant Warwick Farm winner last start and looks ready to measure up at metro level. Lane aboard adds polish, and his closing sectionals suggest he’ll relish a strong 1600m tempo. Top chance to close the night on a high note.
The Professor’s Plays
Best Bet: Gilded Water (Race 7)
Value: One Hard Lady (Race 5)
Roughie: Acta Non Verba (Race 6)
Quaddie (Races 5–8)
R5: 3, 10, 11
R6: 2, 4, 7, 10
R7: 1, 3, 12, 14
R8: 5, 6, 9, 12
