Yes Australia is wet and the Sunshine Coast is most likely anything but a Sunshine covered coast. However the Sunshine Coast does have some great races on this weekend as does Moonee Valley. After this week we can pretty much start focusing on spring; but for this week, the winter carnival is drawing to a conclusion and Moonee Valley is hosting a meeting on a dry track.
Sunshine Coast
Miss Bradbury (race 2 number 7). At Ipswich at her last start, this wonderfully filly put in a run that really had to be seen to be believed. She dropped out to last on a track that is notorious for its leader bias, then in about five bounds after entering the 250m straight, she gathered up the field and ran past them like they were in reverse. The big track at the Sunshine Coast should suit her down to the ground. This grey mare has had one start on the heavy for nothing, but her last start was on the slow and she was very dynamic on that surface.
Cape Kidnappers (race 4 number 2). One of the most promising horses in Queensland. Won while unfit at his last start and will be much improved for winning that race on sheer ability. He is by Commands which indicates he should handle the heavy, but at this stage of his short career, his only defeat has come on a heavy track (he ran second). He is fit and talented (and short $1.80) but really he should get to the lead and just fly past this lot. Very very very hard to beat.
Phelan Ready (race 7 number 3). 39 starts for 2 wins and 3.6 million dollars in prize money. Phelan Ready has not won a race since the 2009 Golden Slipper, but that was on a heavy track! He gets back and storms home and has shown form in these races before. Maybe this is the week for him to break his 4 year drought. In his last win, Phelan Ready beat More Joyous by 9 lengths! A lot can happen in four years.
Shenzhou Steeds (race 8 number 5). Has not won a race since winning this race a year ago by 7 lengths. He put the writing on the wall last week with a fast finishing second place and he looks spot on for this race. He is the best of the day and at this stage we can get $5.
Moonee Valley
Elite Elle (race 2 number 1). An in-form mare that gets out in front and is hard to get past. She loves Moonee Valley and being in race two, the frost and sub-arctic temperatures that make Melbourne famous for should leave the track a little soft which she loves.
She Can Skate (race 3 number 1). Two wins in a row at this stage and they have been fantastic wins against great fields. She sure can skate along and the track at Moonee Valley will suit her down to the ground.
Mr O’Ceirin (race 5 number 1). Did everyone see this boy at this track and distance with 60kg recently win by 4 lengths untouched? Well this race is probably easier and he should just smash this field. A potential Caulfield Cup horse and probably the best horse at the Moonee Valley meeting.
By Zeb Armstrong
