Moonee Valley: Friday 2nd February Preview by Dean McHugh

Race 1: Dominant Earthcare Handicap (2500m)

Friday’s action kicks off with the longest race of the day, where six horses will head down to post for the Dominant Earthcare Handicap. 

Unusual Pearl will start as the favourite following her win last time out at Sandown. Rarely out of the places, that was her second win in eight career starts, and her connections will be confident of another victory here. She looks hard to oppose.

Border Leicester will push her all the way to the line. Coming into this race off the back of two victories, his backers will hope the upward trend is set to continue. 

Race 2: Rhima Australia Maiden Plate (1200m)

The second race of the day looks like one of the toughest of the calls. Featuring mostly debutants, of the newcomers it could be worth siding with Unriddle who was able to place in two trial races. King of Wessex hasn’t featured in any trial races but is decently bred, so is another who could make the shortlist. 

Of those with experience, neither Miss Winslet nor Real Wild Child inspire much confidence. Dark Journey was able to finish third on debut and will hope to use that experience to take a leap forward here. 

Race 3: Dominant Home Products Maiden Plate (1514m)

Thirteen horses will be hoping to get off the mark on the third race of the day and there are several horses who look to be in with a major chance. 

Ceremonious has had two starts and has finished inside the top three on both occasions. He will hope to go a few places better here. 

Real Shady was unlucky not to have won on debut and ran well to finish second. With more experience this time around, he looks likely to make another bold bid. 

The same can be said of Our Girl Britney who seemed to get the hang of things late when running on to finish fourth on debut. 

Race 4: Rethink, Reuse Rhima Handicap (1600m)

Several consistent horses look set to battle it out for Friday’s most prestigious race. 

Magarten has long raced in races of this nature and has finished as the runner-up on both of her last two starts. Hoping that she will be able to go one place better and notch a second career win, she is worth paying attention to. 

Kiss Me Ned, Tosen Warrior, and Genrichero were all winners when last seen and will have serious ambitions of repeating the feat once more. 

It could also be worth checking any market moves on Spangled Sipper. Arguably the least exposed in the field, she looks progressive and could run a big race at decent odds. 

Race 5: Pja Accountants and Business Advisors (2040m)

The fifth race of the card will see fifteen runners head to post, and this looks like a tricky race for punters to call. 

Cradle of Life steps back up to handicap company following a convincing win in a lower grade last time out. He will look to run off the front once again. 

Black Penn is another in great form. With two firsts and two seconds in his last four starts, he should play a major role, as should Flamin’ Romans, who was unlucky not to have won when last seen.

Lukan, Missed Victory, Parvati Party and Mrs Murphy were all victorious in their last runs and could be worth keeping on side of. 

Race 6: Dominant.com.au Handicap (1000m)

The first sprint race of Friday’s card comes in the sixth race, where a field of twelve has been declared. Likely to take all of the beating is Pivot City. 

A winner of his debut, he struggled last time out but was reported as lame after the race. Finishing seventh, remarkably, five horses from that race have gone on to win since, and despite his low finish, that form still stacks up well.

Looking to give the favourite something to think about is Austmarr. A winner of two of his first six career starts, he has struggled in each of his last two runs, and a return to slightly calmer waters could see him return to a positive light.

At a price, True Nobility could be worth backing following his victory last time out.

Race 7: Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Handicap (955m)

Another competitive field will head down to post for the penultimate race of Friday’s card. In what is bound to be a fast and furious contest, Satin & Silk should start the race as the overwhelming favourite. 

A winner of two of her last three starts, she arrives in great heart and looks capable of another positive showing. 

By far one of the most interesting horses on Friday’s card is Dakota Lee. Yet to taste defeat in any of her seven starts, this will be her first start in 18 months. 

Once destined for great things, she has shaken off the rust with two trials victories and should arrive ready to race. She could represent some of the best value of the entire day.

Race 8: Luna By Dominant Handicap (1200m)

Sixteen runners will compete in the final race of Friday’s Moonee Valley’s card, and there looks to be some fantastic value to be found.

Fire Follower arrives looking for a third consecutive victory. Both of those victories have come in lesser company, but the impressive nature of those victories should set him up nicely here.

Hello World looks like an exciting horse to follow. Unexposed in comparison to the majority of his rivals, having finished third on debut, he bettered that effort when winning when last seen. He could take another major step forward here.

Movader is the highest earner in the field. Having won two of his twelve career starts, he has now gone four runs without a victory, and his connections will hope he can return to the winner’s circle here.

It could also be worth taking a look at Graysong. With two wins in his last four starts, he is another who could play a major role in proceedings.