Races

Deane Lester’s Moonee Valley Best Bets

RACE 4 NO.2 ECUMENICAL

ECUMENICAL has been most unlucky of late but gets a great chance to return to the winners list when she runs in the Fillies Classic (1600m). The Mick Huxtable trained galloper covered a lot of ground when finishing 4th behind ODEUM in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10. Provided that run hasn’t flattened her, the grey has a class edge on her rivals and looks one of the better bets of the day.


RACE 5 NO.5 BONVICINI

BONVICINI should be close to peak fitness following two runs back from a spell and makes appeal as a winning chance at each way odds when she contests the Tesio Stakes (1600m). The four year old was thwarted by a slow pace but still hit the sweetly when finishing 8th behind SIERRA SUE in the Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on October 6. She looks ready to step up in distance and in-form jockey Jye McNeil retains the ride. It’s a typically competitive mares race with a host of chances, however BONVICINI is ready to run a bold race.


RACE 6 NO. 6 YOUNG WERTHER

YOUNG WERTHER has been high in betting for next week’s AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) and consolidate his position in that market with a win in the Moonee Valley Vase (2040m). The son of Tavistock scored an impressive win on debut over 1500 metres at Geelong on September 6 before racing greenly and costly himself victory when finishing 2nd behind KHOEKHOE in the Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on October 6. Trainer Danny O’Brien has made the subtle gear change with the addition of winkers in the endeavour to keep the horse straight when he is placed under pressure. He looks a genuine good class stayer in the making and represents the best bet of the day.


COX PLATE

1. ARMORY

2. RUSSIAN CAMELOT

3. GRANDSLAM

4. ARCADIA QUEEN

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