Deane Lester’s Moonee Valley Best Bets

Posted on August 21, 2020 | Posted by Deane Lester

RACE 2 NO.4 TAILLEUR

TAILLEUR will start one of the shortest favourites of the day when she contests the Mares Benchmark 84 Handicap (1200m) and could provide a good anchor bet for multis. The James Cummings trained mare is building an impressive record of three wins and a second placing from four starts and seems effective on all track surfaces. She has the capacity to lead this field and, with the rail in the 5 metres position, should dominate this race. Elite rider Mark Zahra has returned from a break in great form and should steer TAILLEUR to another victory.

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RACE 4 NO.8 KENTUCKY TORNADO

KENTUCKY TORNADO is an improving stayer from the Chris Waller stable that should be fitter for two runs this campaign and looks placed to advantage when she contests the Benchmark 78 Handicap (2500m). The six year old worked to the line sweetly when finishing 6th behind stablemate SKYMAN over 2000 metres at Flemington on August 8 and will relish a step up to her preferred distance range. She has previously beaten topweight TIGRE ROYALE in their two previous meetings and now meets him significantly better at the weights which indicates how well placed KENTUCKY TORNADO is in this race. She may be destined for stakes class staying races during spring and this looks an ideal race to return to winning form; one of the better bets of the day.

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RACE 9 NO.6 POLLY GREY

Another Chris Waller trained staying mare ready to return to winning form is POLLY GREY when she tackles the Quality Handicap (2040m). The former NZ mare has an imposing record of six wins from 17 starts on rain affected ground and should now be more seasoned following two runs in this distance range. From an outer draw, she tended to race a bit keenly when finishing 2nd behind MAHAMADEIS over 2040 metres at The Valley on August 1. Importantly, she has drawn barrier one in this race which should allow her to obtain cover and relax better. Whilst there are better performed horses than her, POLLY GREY looks ready to peak and can defeat the higher credentialled runners in this race.

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