The Plan Of Attack:
| Race | No. | Horse | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Kagemusha | Strong jump-outs this prep, good map from gate two. |
| 2 | 9 | Zouzenna | 1×3 each-way play, maps on speed; quinella with 5,9,10. |
| 5 | 1 | Not Enough Effort | Track specialist; drops in grade, good spot behind tempo. |
| 5 | 2 | The Carillo | Excellent last start effort; can lead and prove tough. |
Turf Talk:
- Moe is a tight-turning track with a 300m straight.
- Rarely a disadvantage to be on speed, making your own luck.
Race 1 No.5 Kagemusha
(5) Kagemusha has been gelded since he was last at the sports when knocking up at Bendigo. The stable aborted an autumn campaign, having two jump-outs before evidently being sent for another break. He has had two strong hit-outs at Cranbourne (4/8 and 18/8) this time in and has looked excellent in both bits of work.
This gelding has reasonable gate speed, so from gate two I’d think Ethan Brown will try and push forward in a race where there isn’t a lot of tempo. After scratchings, this isn’t an overly strong race, and I think he can make a winning return.
Suggested bet: Backing (5) Kagemusha, think the $4 on offer at Bet365 is more than generous.
Race 2 No.9 Zouzenna (1×3 each-way)
There look to be three winning hopes: (5) Mini Angel, (10) Expanding Power and (9) Zouzenna.
(5) Mini Angel’s form springs off the page; she’s run well in city maidens, has jumped-out nicely between runs and has J Melham in the saddle. She will be hard to beat, but she’s deep into a campaign and now comes back in trip.
In a race lacking depth, keen to back (9) Zouzenna, focusing more on the place. Her three jump-outs this campaign have all been excellent and from gate two she is going to lob on speed without doing any work at all. The $15 – and particularly the $3+ the place – really appeals.
Suggested bet: Backing (9) Zouzenna 1×3 each-way, also taking a quinella: 5,9,10.
Race 5 No.1 Not Enough Effort / No.2 The Carillo
A little two-bet play to kick off the quaddie.
(1) Not Enough Effort drops in grade here and back to a track he loves. Whilst well-beaten at Sale last start, his rating wasn’t that bad and there was a bit of depth to that small field. He loves it here at Moe and should get into a good spot just in behind what looks a strong tempo.
The effort of (2) The Carillo when stuck on a limb at Warrnambool last start was excellent. He has the toe to lead this field (much like his father Lord Of The Sky would have!) and Steph Hateley has had a couple of sits on the gelding, so knows him well.
Suggested bet: Backing (1) Not Enough Effort and (2) The Carillo.
