Track: Soft Weather: Showers

It’s $4 the field for the first Group 1 of the Moonee Valley night racing season.  Seven of the twelve had their last start in either the Group 2 McEwen or Listed Norman Carlyon.  Both races were run at this track and trip.  James Cummings and Godolphin were on fire last week and they saddle up race favourite Paulele.  She is one of two resumers in the race.  Rothfire was strong late to win the McEwen and is well fancied again in this contest.  Only two runners are longer than $20-1.

1. The Inferno (8)

Is looking to go one better after finishing a narrow second in last years race.  Returned well with a fast finishing fourth in the McEwen and barrier eight is perfect for him.  Roughie with a chance.

2. Paulele (6)

First up.  James McDonald comes down from Sydney to ride.  Form last prep reads very well for a race like this, placed three times at Group 1 level and may end up with a dream run in midfield here from the good draw.  Goes well first up.  1000m against this company the only little query.

3. Rothfire (5)

Queenslander who won the McEwen first up.  Draws nicely here in five, keeps an inform Damian Lane, is four from four at the distance and handles wet ground.  Box ticker.

4. Zoustyle (9)

Bombed the start in the McEwen but was still able to hunt up and find the lead.  Did a good job to hang on for second although he did have the bias in his favour.  Inclined to risk here at a single figure quote.

5. Malkovich (3)

Speedster who was safely held first up in the Concorde at Randwick on heavy ground.  Capable of improving onto soft ground with a run under the belt.  Rough place chance here.

6. Generation (2)

Was only collared late after being pestered all the way in the lead first up at Caulfield.  Good effort.  Keeps an inform Mark Zahra and is drawn to do no work from gate two.  Each way chance.

7. Extremely Lucky (12)

Lightly raced gelding trained by Will Clarken.  Produced a huge finish to win the Lightning fresh in Adelaide, then was a solid third in the Carlyon.  Has plenty of talent but is likely to be back last on the turn and needing to do something special.

8. September Run (7)

Resumes.  Dual Group 1 winning mare trained by Chris Waller.  Won the Group 1 William Reid here over 1200m in March and has trialled up well enough in Sydney.  If they are making ground it wouldn’t shock to see her in the finish.

9. Bella Nipotina (11)

Good mare who won the Carlyon fresh.  She goes well around the Valley and is another who comes into if it they are running on.

10. Isotope (4)

Saved from Caulfield last week to run here.  Gets the Blinkers back on and draws a nice marble.  Not sure how well she is going?

11. Mileva (10)

Racing well, but has a sticky map and I think she lacks the class to be winning here.

12. Coolangatta (1)

Third of the Maher & Eustace gallopers.  Had big wraps on her as a two year old. Won the Magic Millions, then ran third in the Golden Slipper.  Raced outside lead first up after jumping a clear favourite and boxed on well enough into third.  Think she probably ends up leaders back here and if she gets the gaps at the right time is a winning hope.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Lewis’ Tips	Jo’s Tips
2 Paulele	3 Rothfire
3 Rothfire	2 Paulele
12 Coolangatta	4 Zoustyle
6 Generation	9 Bella Nipotina

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	12 Coolangatta
2nd	9 Bella Nipotina	0.2 length
3rd	4 Zoustyle	1.45 lengths
4th	6 Generation	1.55 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 6.

No scratchings.