Moonee Valley Vase 2023 Race Details
Race 7 at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Saturday the 28th October 2023.
The Moonee Valley Vase is a Group 2 2040 metre set weights race for three-year-olds run by the Moonee Valley Racing Club in October. It is run at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day as part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. The total prizemoney this year is $400,000.
You can read more about the race history, lead-up races, and past winners on the Moonee Valley Vase page.
Moonee Valley Vase 2023 Preview
Track: Good Weather: Fine
There are ten acceptors for the Moonee Valley Vase – a key Victorian Derby lead up. Verdad is very solid favourite at around $2.70 in early betting. Snowman is a duel acceptor in Sydney but looks a good chance to run here given they have booked James McDonald. He has some strong form lines around Riff Rocket. Air Assault comes across from Adelaide and gets the services of Damian Lane, while Port Lockroy backs up after a good win against easier company last week.
Moonee Valley Vase 2023 Runner by Runner
1. Sunsource
No match for Riff Rocket at Flemington last start but still ran second. In the mix.
2. Air Assualt
South Australian visitor who won the Hill Smith Stakes running away last start. Like the booking of Damian Lane.
3. Verdad
His three career runs have been full of merit. Sat on a strong speed on debut and ran away from a strong maiden field. Held up at a key stage in the Stutt then ate the line late to just miss the Guineas winner Griff. Then victim of a slow tempo when forced back from the wide gate in the Guineas and again ate the line. The little risk is he is getting deep into his first prep, however I think he’s ready to explode here at 2000m.
4. Apulia
Unsuited by a slow tempo last week but still ran home pretty well. Like that he backs up here and I like the map. He’s a chance.
5. Snowman
Has been doing some nice things North of the boarder. Beat the current VRC Derby favourite two starts ago fair and square at Rosehill and gets Jmac.
6. Port Lockroy
Won a bm72 at Randwick last week in good style. The fifth the start prior in the Dulcify was a good effort. On the up.
7. Koning
Lightly raced Richard and Will Freedman trained galloper. He will need to find a few lengths here to be competitive.
8. Esskay
Started long odds last start and was never sited behind Riff Rocket.
9. Bulawayo
Another who started big odds last start and was safely held by Riff Rocket.
10. Mah Ali
Can’t recommend.
Moonee Valley Vase 2023 Tips
The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.
|
Lewis Oliver’s Tips
|
Jo Jackson’s Tips | |
| 3 Verdad | 3 Verdad | |
| 4 Apulia | 2 Air Assault | |
| 5 Snowman | 5 Snowman | |
| 6 Port Lockroy | 4 Apulia |
Previews for other races this week
Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup 2023 (Moonee Valley 2500m) – Friday
Group 3 JRA Cup 2023 (Moonee Valley 2040m) – Friday
Listed Chautauqua Stakes 2023 (Moonee Valley 1200m) – Friday
Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes 2023 (Randwick 2000m)
The Invitation 2023 (Randwick 1400m)
Group 2 Callander-Presnell 2023 (Randwick 1500m)
Group 3 Craven Plate 2023 (Randwick 2000m)
Listed Brian Crowley Stakes 2023 (Randwick 1200m)
Group 1 Cox Plate 2023 (Moonee Valley 2040m)
Group 1 Manikato Stakes 2023 (Moonee Valley 1200m)
Group 2 Crystal Mile 2023 (Moonee Valley 1600m)
Group 2 Fillies Classic 2023 (Moonee Valley 1600m)
Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes 2023 (Moonee Valley 1200m)
Group 3 Tesio Stakes 2023 (Moonee Valley 1600m)
Listed William Crockett Stakes 2023 (Moonee Valley 1200m)
Restricled Listed Inglis Banner 2023 (Moonee Valley 1000m)
Listed Belgravia Stakes 2023 (Ascot 1200m)
Listed Sale Cup 2023 (Sale 1600m) – Sunday
Listed Northam Cup 2023 (Northam 1600m) – Sunday
Moonee Valley Vase 2023 Race Results
| Result | Horse | Margin |
| 1st | 4 Apulia | |
| 2nd | 3 Verdad | 2 lengths |
| 3rd | 2 Air Assault | 3.5 lengths |
| 4th | 9 Bulawayo | 6.5 lengths |
The track was rated as Good 3.
Scratchings; 5. Snowman, 6. Port Lockroy.