Moonee Valley Vase – 2021

Track: Slow Weather: Showers

There is a full field of fourteen runners plus one emergency for the $300,000 Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase.  Chris Waller has two runners as do Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young.  Two met in the Hill Smith Stakes at Morphettville last start, two in a benchmark 70 at Caulfield and two others back up after running in last weeks Norman Robinson Stakes.  The early favourite in the betting is the current Victoria Derby favourite Forgot You.  He won the Stutt Stakes here on September 24, then was sixth in the Caulfield Guineas last start and looks clearly the one to beat.

Blackcomb is one of three fillies in this years race and was very unlucky in the Hill Smith Stakes last start.  Akihiro was fifth in the Stan Fox on October 9.  Villaden gets blinkers for the first time.  Spirit Of Gaylard broke his maiden at Bendigo first up.  Jungle Magnate is a son of the Victoria Derby winner Tarzino, while Samarkand hails from the powerful New Zealand stable of Baker & Forsman.  The remaining runners are $20-1 or longer.

1. Forgot You

Three year old colt trained by Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young.  Charged late to win the Group 2 Stutt Stakes here two back, then ran well in a high rating Caulfield Guineas.  Has been crying out for 2000m which he gets here and has very limited opposition.  Expect him to prove very hard to beat.

2. Akihiro

Colt trained by Gary Portelli at Warwick Farm. He finished second at Randwick on September 18, then was fifth in the Group 2 Stan Fox.  Each way claims.

3. Jungle Magnate

Won well at Sandown on debut in June.  Second last start in the Hill Smith in Adelaide.  Drawn wide but has a leading rider in Hugh Bowman.

4. El Rocko

Is still a maiden after seven starts.  He should get a decent run from barrier seven but he needs to improve many lengths to be a factor here.

5. Patton

Was fifth in the Group 2 Gloaming at Randwick on September 25th, then finished seven lengths from the winner in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes.  His two career placings came on soft ground.  Place hope.

6. Cheerful Moment

Unlucky at Flemington on September 22, then was close up in benchmark 70 grade at Caulfield last start.  Rough chance.

7. Sharper

Bold showing in the Derby Trial to run second at a big price, then dropped out to run last in the Norman Robinson last week.  Don’t think he’s good enough.

8. Antonio Giovanni

Another backing up out of last weeks Norman Robinson.  Was seventh beaten a long way in that.  Needs to improve.

9. Spirit Of Gaylard

Returned from the spelling paddock with a good maiden win at Bendigo.  He got back off a slow speed and sprinted home strongly.  Has upside.

10. Villaden

Blinkers and the tongue tie go on for this third up assignment.  Impressed with a 2.25 length win on debut at Benalla, then was third at benchmark 64 level against the older horses.  Drawn well and has Oliver.  Roughie with a chance.

11. Samarkand

New Zealand trained galloper who was third in a benchmark 70 at Moe last Friday.  Wet ground suits.  In the mix.

12. Commander Harry

Did a good job to break his maiden at Kilmore at start two.  Safely held at Kyneton last time.  Prefer others.

13. Achira

Sydney sider who broke her maiden at Goulbourn two starts ago, then finished eleventh in the Thousand Guineas.  Another who needs to improve.

14. Blackcomb

Danny O’Brien trained mare who gets the blinkers on for the first time.  She was good behind Barb Raider two starts ago, then luckless in Adelaide when sent out an odds on favourite.  Should of won there.  Each way claims here.

15. Capital Legend – 1st Emerg

Thought his run against the pattern first up at Moonee Valley was very good, then was a victim of a slow tempo at Caulfield last start but still ran well.  Capable of running well third up at a big price.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
1. Forgot You	1. Forgot You
14. Blackcomb	14. Blackcomb
2. Akihiro	2. Akihiro
9. Spirit Of Gaylard	10. Villaden

Group 1 Manikato Stakes 2021 (Moonee Valley 1200m) – Friday night

Group 1 Cox Plate 2021 (Moonee Valley 2040m)

Group 2 Crystal Mile 2021 (Moonee Valley 1600m)

Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup 2021 (Moonee Valley 2500m)

Bondi Stakes 2021 (Randwick 1600m)

The Invitation 2021 (Randwick 1400m)