Racing Tips

Moonee Valley Racing Tips: Friday, February 18th

Trent Crebbin previews every race at The Valley on Friday night with his best bet going around in the final event.

by
Trent Crebbin
17 February 2022

Friday night racing takes place at Moonee Valley tonight as we prepare for tomorrow’s Group 1 Lightning Stakes meeting at Flemington.

Tonight’s eight-race card is headlined by the Listed Torney Night Cup.

The track is rated a Good 4 with the rail out 5m the entire circuit.

Trent Crebbin has done the form for every race with his tips and best bets below.

Best Bet: Race 8 – (4) Elite Icon

Best Value: Race 5 – (3) New Choice

Race 1

Quest Moonee Valley (Rs0mw) (955m)
6:15pm (AEDT)

Race 1 Quest Moonee Valley (Rs0mw) (955m) 6:15pm (AEDT)
1. Astelena (3) J: Damian Lane (57kg) T: Ben & J D Hayes	4.8	4.6	4.7
2. Avoid Me (4) J: Blaike Mcdougall (57kg) T: T & C Mcevoy	3.1	3.1	3.15
3. Berry Bubbly (1) J: Jye Mcneil (57kg) T: R Griffiths & M De Kock	5	5	4.5
4. Cut To The Chase (2) J: Jordan Childs (57kg) T: G M Begg	6.5	6.5	5.8
5. Frontenac (7) J: Damien Oliver (57kg) T: James Cummings	9.5	9.5	9
6. Roaring Miss (5) J: Joe Bowditch (57kg) T: Lloyd Kennewell	7	7	7.1
7. Runaway Belle (6) J: Brett Prebble (57kg) T: P Stokes	11	11	11.2

Most of the field here on debut. (4) Cut To The Chase has jumped out well and gets the in form Luke Nolen aboard form a good gate.

(1) Astelena similarly has jumped out well under no riding and gets Lane on.

(2) Avoid Me looks quite fast off the jumpouts and might be able to lead these. Expect she’s in this for a long way.

Tip: (4) Cut To The Chase $7.50 at Sportsbet

Betting Strategy: No bet

Race 2

Bmd Group Hcp (C1) (1600m)
6:45pm (AEDT)

Race 2 Bmd Group Hcp (C1) (1600m) 6:45pm (AEDT)
1. Jaffastock (6) J: Nash Rawiller (59kg) T: T Busuttin & N Young	5.5	5.5	4.95
2. Succeed Indeed (11) J: Craig Williams (59kg) T: L & T Corstens	5.5	5	5.6
3. Dayan Star (10) J: Jack Hill (58.5kg) T: L & T Corstens	21	21	17.4
4. James The Great (7) J: Damian Lane (58.5kg) T: Matthew Cumani	19	18	17.6
5. Wordy (5) J: Fred Kersley (58.5kg) T: Mark & Levi Kavanagh	6	7.5	6
6. Zoutellus (2) J: Ben Allen (58.5kg) T: K & K Keys	4.8	4.6	4.6
7. Winston Smurfhill (8) J: John Allen (58kg) T: Ben Brisbourne	12	12	13.2
8. Gonnadancealot (9) J: Will Price (57.5kg) T: L Smith	5.5	5.5	5.6
9. Lacrima (3) J: Declan Bates (57kg) T: J S Bull	15	14	15.2
10. Aragon (1) J: J Noonan (56.5kg) T: Tony Noonan
11. Inyangani (4) J: Jye Mcneil (56kg) T: Jamie Edwards	9.5	9	10.2

Tough race. (6) Zoutellus is racing well but struggles to win with just the one career victory from sixteen starts. Not sure a mile is his go but he’ll get every chance again.

(2) Succeed Indeed is in a similar boat but just can’t crack another win. She loomed as the winner last start but peaked late. Not sure where she gets to on the map.

(1) Jaffastock should be fitter and appreciate the 1600m with Nash on board.

(5) Wordy is ready to win. 3rd up now off a very long spell, he stuck on well in a fast run race for the class last start and this doesn’t look much harder. He maps to land on speed and has a few less convictions that most of these.

Tip: (5) Wordy $7.50 at Sportsbet

Betting Strategy: 0.25 units WIN Wordy

Race 3

Daemco (Bm64) (2040m)
7:15pm (AEDT)

Race 3 Daemco (Bm64) (2040m) 7:15pm (AEDT)
1. Angel Rock (4) J: Josh Richards (61.5kg) T: Tom Dabernig	4	3.8	4.05
2. Flossing (12) J: Will Price (61.5kg) T: T Busuttin & N Young	4.4	4.4	4.1
3. Cuffe's Grange (2) J: Jye Mcneil (60kg) T: G W Egan	26	26	26.5
4. Roederer (7) J: Ethan Brown (60kg) T: Logan Mcgill	20	21	21.5
5. Running Cloud (6) J: Thomas Stockdale (59.5kg) T: Nathan Dunn	14	13	13.4
6. Cogent (8) J: Michael Dee (59kg) T: G Eurell	18	18	15.6
7. Hopkins (11) J: Nash Rawiller (59kg) T: T Busuttin & N Young	7	7.5	6.6
8. Poleaxed (3) J: Matthew Cartwright (59kg) T: K & K Keys	9.5	9.5	9.6
9. Look Sharpish (13) J: Ms Chloe Azzopardi (58.5kg) T: L & T Corstens	26	26	21
10. Zidler (5) J: Damien Oliver (58.5kg) T: C J Waller	7	6.5	6.8
11. Amfissa (9) J: Craig Williams (58kg) T: Chris Waller
12. Aeecee Dolce (1) J: Declan Bates (56.5kg) T: L Smith	9	9	9.1
13. Miss Charlee Lyn (10) J: Ms Alana Kelly (55kg) T: Ms K Dufty	91	81	77

(12) Aeecee Dolce has kept improving all prep and ran well here last start. She gets the senior rider on now and did finish 2nd to the favourite Angel Rock two back at Warrnambool.

(1) Angel Rock is racing very well and comes out of the strongest race behind Worthily. She settled closer there and from barrier 4 expect she can land midfield or better again out to 2040m for the first time. She meets Aeecee Dolce at the same weights after the claim.

(10) Zidler is ready to win 3rd up for Waller out of the same race behind Za’ex.

Tip: Angel Rock $3.40 at TAB

Betting Strategy: 0.5 units WIN Angel Rock

Race 4

Ladbrokes 55 Second (Bm84) (955m)
7:45pm (AEDT)

Race 4 Ladbrokes 55 Second (Bm84) (955m) 7:45pm (AEDT)
1. Grandview Avenue (4) J: Ms Alana Kelly (61.5kg) T: K M Elford	19	20	20.5
2. Ashlor (6) J: Ms Tahlia Hope (61kg) T: D J Mccarthy	16	17	17.2
3. Yulong Command (1) J: Matthew Cartwright (61kg) T: A & S Freedman	2.15	2.2	2
4. Lunar Hero (3) J: Jye Mcneil (56.5kg) T: D J Mccarthy	3.7	3.4	3.5
5. Gold Spark (5) J: (55.5kg) T: Nick Ryan
6. Capital Reign (7) J: Craig Williams (55kg) T: G Portelli	3.3	3.3	3.45
7. Blood Oath (2) J: Lachlan Neindorf (55kg) T: E Jusufovic

Quite keen on (3) Yulong Command who just loves The Valley as he’s a very quick horse who rails well. I think he has the early speed to kick up and hold the front from barrier 1 and his form this prep speaks for itself, having run 3rd to Enthaar in fast time three back.

(6) Capital Reign is an interesting one because he also looks very fast early having led 900m races in NSW. His narrow 2nd to Silent Impact first up is a strong bit of form, although he was a touch plain last start and has to come to The Valley for the first time and try to burn off Yulong Command.

Tip: (3) Yulong Command $2.15 at Ladbrokes

Betting Strategy: 2.5 units WIN Yulong Command

Race 5

Melba & Me (Bm70) (1600m)
8:15pm (AEDT)

Race 5 Melba & Me (Bm70) (1600m) 8:15pm (AEDT)
1. Saccharo (6) J: Josh Richards (62.5kg) T: Archie Alexander	8.5	8.5	8.7
2. Lorente (7) J: Matthew Cartwright (62kg) T: C Maher & D Eustace	18	17	15
3. New Choice (12) J: Ms Madison Lloyd (60.5kg) T: C Vidotto & C Beasy	10	11	9.8
4. Upswing (2) J: Billy Egan (60.5kg) T: Patrick Payne	20	21	16.8
5. Diasonic (10) J: (59.5kg) T: Richard Laming
6. Tradewind (9) J: Jye Mcneil (59.5kg) T: Ryan Balfour	10	10	10.2
7. Helavabel (8) J: Damian Lane (59kg) T: G Eurell	12	12	10
8. Groovy Kinda Love (5) J: Brett Prebble (58kg) T: M C Kent	4	4.2	4.25
9. Austrata (4) J: Damien Oliver (57.5kg) T: C J Waller	5	5.5	4.55
10. Baritone (3) J: Ms Jackie Beriman (57kg) T: Ms J Beriman	126	101	111
11. Zerelle (11) J: Nash Rawiller (57kg) T: T Busuttin & N Young	4	3.8	4.1
12. Mescaminto (1) J: Thomas Stockdale (56.5kg) T: Andrew Dale	21	21	23.5

This is a drop in class for (3) New Choice who should be ready to do something 3rd up. He went back last start but did run on well behind Nicolini Vito in a high rating bm78. His last 800m was the race fastest and he’s a much better horse when leading, which I think they’ll look to do here. 3kg claimer on, wide draw, surely they roll forward and try to run these into the ground.

(11) Zerelle has always had plenty of talent and returned with a strong win against the older horses, first up as a gelding. He can go on with it now and gets the blinkers on.

(6) Tradewind next best over from SA.

Tip: (3) New Choice $6.50 at TopSport

Betting Strategy: 0.5 units WIN New Choice

Race 6

Mce Torney Night Cup (2500m)
8:45pm (AEDT)

Race 6 Mce Torney Night Cup (2500m) 8:45pm (AEDT)
1. Future Score (8) J: Jye Mcneil (60kg) T: Matthew Cumani	10	10	8.7
2. Daqiansweet Junior (10) J: Ms Jamie Kah (56.5kg) T: P Stokes	2.6	2.5	2.65
3. Dragon Storm (6) J: Blaike Mcdougall (56.5kg) T: M D Moroney	18	18	15
4. Skelm (7) J: Michael Poy (56.5kg) T: T D Kelly	3.9	4	4.05
5. South Pacific (1) J: Craig Williams (56.5kg) T: Richard Litt	13	13	11.2
6. Skymax (2) J: Robbie Dolan (55kg) T: Mark Newnham	10	10	8.7
7. Za'ex (9) J: Brett Prebble (54kg) T: Ms C Alderson	8.5	8.5	8.6
8. Into Rio (5) J: Ms Alana Kelly (54kg) T: C F Hyland	51	41	38
9. San Remo (4) J: Matthew Cartwright (54kg) T: Dane Smith	101	91	111
10. Spirit Of Gold (3) J: Jason Benbow (54kg) T: P G Moody	9	9	8.9

See no reason (2) Daiqansweet Junior won’t just win again. He’s coming off a strong win at this T/D in fast time last start, beating In A Twinkling who has since run 2nd in a Hobart Cup. My only query is coming out of a fast race to what could potentially be a slowly run race here, but he’s shown he’s adaptable off even tempos in his winning streak and he’s the horse on the up.

(4) Skelm was a touch plain last start but was 5 weeks between runs dropping back in trip from 2800m. Back up to 2500m now looks ideal.

Tip: (2) Daiqansweet Junior $2.80 at Ladbrokes

Betting Strategy: 2 units WIN Daiqansweet Junior

Race 7

Msc Signs Electrical (Bm64) (1200m)
9:15pm (AEDT)

Race 7 Msc Signs Electrical (Bm64) (1200m) 9:15pm (AEDT)
1. Yulong Knight (13) J: Adam Mccabe (65.5kg) T: R J Blacker	12	12	12.2
2. Important Product (1) J: Josh Richards (62kg) T: Kurt Goldman	12	12	13.2
3. Rock Tycoon (5) J: Ms Madison Lloyd (62kg) T: Nathan Hobson	6.5	7	7.1
4. Michigan (6) J: Jamie Mott (61.5kg) T: M D Moroney	3.6	3.3	3.55
5. Eclipse Solar (8) J: Ethan Brown (61kg) T: C I Brown	5	5	4.6
6. Expectant (3) J: Matthew Cartwright (61kg) T: S P Nichols	20	21	17.8
7. Five Star Decanter (9) J: Damian Lane (60.5kg) T: M M Laurie	8	8	7
8. Hinto Blue (11) J: Luke Nolen (60.5kg) T: Ben & J D Hayes	21	21	17.6
9. She's Booming (12) J: Damien Oliver (59kg) T: M, W & J Hawkes	16	15	13.4
10. Chairman's Choice (4) J: Thomas Stockdale (58.5kg) T: Andrew Dale	17	17	18.2
11. Kuna Magic (2) J: Jye Mcneil (57kg) T: Clayton Douglas	18	18	15.2
12. Bay Of Islands (10) J: Ms Alana Kelly (56kg) T: C Maher & D Eustace	21	21	23
13. Governor Landy (7) J: Jake Noonan (58kg) T: A W Noonan	26	31	22

(3) Rock Tycoon struggles to win but he is generally consistent here. His run last start behind Shotmaker was good and this looks easier. He maps for another soft run just behind the speed.

(4) Michigan won two in a row to start last prep before failing in a much harder race. Just the one soft jumpout for him first up.

(5) Eclipse Solar had no luck at Bendigo but will get back again in what looks a slowly run race.

Tip: (3) Rock Tycoon $6.50/2.20 at Bet365

Betting Strategy: 0.25/0.75 units E/W Rock Tycoon

Race 8

Ladbrokes Same Race Multi-Bm64 (1200m)
9:45pm (AEDT)

Race 8 Ladbrokes Same Race Multi-Bm64 (1200m) 9:45pm (AEDT)
1. Daily Bugle (15) J: Ms Alana Kelly (64.5kg) T: R Griffiths & M De Kock
2. Finance Choice (12) J: Josh Richards (61kg) T: Tom Dabernig
3. Predetermined (4) J: Robbie Downey (60.5kg) T: L & T Corstens	34	31	26
4. Elite Icon (5) J: Blaike Mcdougall (60kg) T: T & C Mcevoy	2.05	2.15	2
5. Sharper (10) J: Craig Newitt (60kg) T: M E Templeton	101	101	111
6. Obsessive Nature (7) J: Ben Allen (59.5kg) T: Craig Blackshaw	81	81	83
7. Teser (1) J: Thomas Stockdale (59.5kg) T: G Eurell	9.5	10	8.1
8. Sharwin (13) J: Jye Mcneil (59kg) T: A & S Freedman	7	7	6.2
9. Star Spirit (6) J: John Allen (59kg) T: Archie Alexander	6.5	8.5	8.5
10. Well In Sight (9) J: Damien Oliver (59kg) T: Mitchell Beer	18	20	20.5
11. Stern Impulse (3) J: Lachlan Neindorf (58kg) T: S P Nichols	21	21	23.5
12. Ruby Mockingbird (11) J: Matthew Cartwright (57kg) T: Lloyd Kennewell	26	26	26.5
13. Hesket (8) J: Damian Lane (59kg) T: M J Ellerton	10	10	8.5
14. Side Bet (2) J: Ethan Brown (59kg) T: M M Laurie	15	16	14.2
15. Beaukati (16) J: Brett Prebble (57kg) T: C W Mcdonald	18	18	18.2
16. Veterok (14) J: Unknown (59kg) T: C I Brown	61	51	40

(4) Elite Icon should be taking care of these. He ran very well on debut at Flemington in a fast run race as favourite before coming here and bolting in when leading all the way. He’ll be very hard to beat again but scratchings have put him well into the red now. $1.80 looks fair.

(13) Hesket was a deserved winner last start when sent straight to the front and bolting in. His run prior behind the very promising Arktika was rock solid on speed.

(9) Star Spirit has plenty of talent and looks ready to peak here.

Tip: (4) Elite Icon $1.80 at TopSport

Betting Strategy: 4 units WIN Elite Icon

Trent Crebbin

Trent’s interest in the thoroughbred started out as a spark with Black Caviar, became a flame with Winx, and has now intensified into a burning obsession with Arcadia Queen. He started out throwing loose change on random trifectas at the pub, but it wasn’t long before he was watching replays and looking at sectionals, weights and markets. Trent specializes in Victorian racing and hopes his first winner as an owner is just around the corner.