Last Week: Fundraiser was scratched within minutes of last week’s selections being published. Reason for scratching was likely the inability to handle the weight of our money… Wheelhouse didn’t have enough, but the foreshadowed ‘other option’ and Quinella was Bigboyroy and I hope some followed that advice… even if I did not. Dunkerry was backed in early before a late drift but battled home hard for 2nd. However, no wins again, and we need to correct the slide!
Best Bet: Patrika Gold – Moonee Valley R9 #11 – $3.55
This Puissance de Lune Mare comes out of a maiden win at Terang on 2nd January when there was strong support in the betting before a 4.5L win. Straight from maiden to BM70 is a bit of a challenge but she will likely find it relatively easy to slot in 2 or 3 back from barrier 7 and a lot will depend on the run from #2 Mariamia who was a bearing favourite last time out after a bad run in transit. Vastly different careers to this point with 24 runs against the 1 start Patrika Gold is a big reason for the bet. The upside is too strong to rule out on the back of the big win, and cannot be overlooked. I’d take this as a bet at $3, so given the price, I cannot stay away.
Next Best: Duchy of Savoy – Moonee Valley R1 #5 – $2.30
The market has this is a match race with our selection 2nd favourite to Unflinching ($1.92). The favourite went back to back at Mornington and then MV last year and comes into this race on the back of a 9 week spell having already one at this class. Duchy has the one win from five starts having won first up this spell at $1.75. The 3.5L win was a very impressive finish having sat on the leader’s shoulder at the 400m. Like many of the bets, this is a price decision. I make the pair a lot closer in the betting so getting $2.30 just makes more sense, but of course the favourite is a very strong chance.
Next Next Best: Eros – Moonee Valley R2 #3 – $2.20
Tricky to bet into a race with only two who’ve been to the races, but Eros looked solid in a ding-dong battle and for a first starter it was promising to see the will to win, even though the end result didn’t work out. It is hard to line up in this field and that is the reason it is only the third bet on the list.
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