There wasn't much joy last week but I'm hoping to bounce back with a profit at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
STRICTLY LEGIT (Moonee Valley - Race 1 No 6)
Strictly Legit was a strong winner at Mornington on debut before getting too far back and hitting the line well at Caulfield last time. The Lindsay Park team has put the blinkers on the gelding, which will help him concentrate a bit better. The rail back in the true position at Moonee Valley will help him if he does get back off the pace again and he's good enough to bounce back here.
BET: WIN
ODDS $4.60 @ Bet365
FRENCH SNITZEL (Moonee Valley - Race 3 No 5)
The Danny O'Brien-trained three-year-old is in an even race but he shapes as though the rise to 2040m will be perfect for him here. He got the money in a Kyneton maiden over 1850m two starts back before he was outsprinted but not beaten far over 1600m at Sandown last time. The distance drop didn't suit him at Sandown but the jump in trip will help him as will the comfortable run he is likely to get behind the speed from the inside draw. Can improve significantly here.
BET: EACH-WAY
ODDS $21 @ Ladbrokes, Sportsbet, Luxbet, Bookmaker, Betstar
MANOLO BLAHNIQ (Moonee Valley - Race 7 No 9)
This bloke is yet to win in Australia but his form is pretty good for a race like his first-up assignment in BM84 company on Saturday. He was steady behind gun gallopers Star Turn and Astern in very good Sydney races before good efforts behind Flying Artie in the Blue Sapphire and the Coolmore Stud Stakes during the Melbourne part of the spring. He worked home nicely under no pressure in a Sandown jumpout on January 13 and this shapes as a winnable first-up test for him before he reverts to taking on stakes races in the autumn.
BET: WIN
ODDS $6 @ Ladbrokes, Betstar, Bookmaker
DEVILS PINCH (Moonee Valley - Race 8 No 8)
Devils Pinch is racing in terrific fashion for the Colin Little stable this time in and has a great chance to break through for a deserved win despite rising in class here. He was narrowly beaten by the handy mare Cheeky Babe when resuming at Mornington first-up before progressing from BM70 to BM78 grade when he went close again at the Valley last time. Devils Pinch will be improved for that effort and should be hard to hold out again in this.
BET: WIN
ODDS $4.80 @ Ladbrokes, Unibet, Bookmaker, CrownBet, Betstar
CHEEKY BABE (Moonee Valley - Race 9 No 6)
This mare always tries hard in her races and can produce her best for on her return to Moonee Valley where she has won twice in three outings. She won well at her last start at the circuit on October 28 but we've seen time and time again that the Weir stable can keep horses up and performing well for longer than a large percentage of trainers and this girl is no exception. She has a tricky gate but Prussian Vixen on her outside can take her across and forward into a good spot early. She's a great chance as usual.
BET: WIN
ODDS $6 @ Ladbrokes, Sportsbet, Unibet, Bookmaker, CrownBet, Centrebet.