Red Anchor Stakes – 2020

Track: Soft-Heavy   Weather: Rain

Nine three year olds have accepted for the $200,000 Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes.  Portland Sky has progressed quickly through the grades in his first preparation and has come up the early favourite.  Valaquenta has returned well and should be ready to peak third up.  Bella Nipotina is a talented filly who goes forward in her races and makes her own luck.  Ice Ice Baby steps up from maiden grade but showed great determination to win her maiden after sitting three wide at her last start.

Free to Move is a winner of two races from his five starts and won his only start on soft going.  Rock the Ring is beginning his second preparation.  He showed good talent earlier in the year and has jumped out well leading into this race.  Mildred is yet to show her best this time in but should be peaking here third up.  The remaining runners in the race are longer than $20-1.

1. Valaquenta

Looks ready to peak third up.  He won his only previous start at Moonee Valley which can be a tricky track especially for horses racing here for the first time.  Mark Zahra takes over the reigns, he is one of the main chances.

2. Free to Move

Was a good winner here second up – Endanger has since franked that form.  Like him drawn out in barrier seven and he has proven he can handle a soft track.  An EW chance.

3. Rock The Ring

Rock the Ring has been jumping out well at Flemington ahead of this first up assignment to start his second preparation.  Already a winner of two races in his four starts to date.  Wouldn’t shock to see him in the finish.

4. Ice Ice Baby

Ice Ice Baby broke her maiden the hard way sitting three wide outside the speed.  That was a good win but this is harder so needs to take another step up.

5. Portland Sky

This colt, still in his first preparation has progressed well from a Ballarat Maiden to listed company.  He was only beaten 1.55 lengths at Flemington in what looks a strong form race.  If the rain does arrive it will be his first try in soft/heavy conditions but if he can handle those conditions he is one of the major chances.

6. Rhode Scholar

Rhode Scholar was well beaten in a benchmark 70 on his home track at Cranbourne.  He would need to improve significantly on that effort to be any chance in this.

7. Bella Nipotina

The stable thought enough of Bella Nipotina to run in the Group 1 Moir Stakes, where nothing went right for her.  Last time out she got a much easier time of it out in front and stuck on well behind a talented filly in Swats That.  Should be able to lead here and give a great sight.

8. Mildred

Looks to map in a lovely spot behind the speed.  Her two runs this preparation have been in strong races, she has finished midfield both times.  If she can recapture her form from earlier in the year then she would be right in this.

9. Tarcoola Diva

This 3 year old filly might of found the good 3 track to firm last start.  A softer track could suit but she appears to be a rung below these horses.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
7. Bella Nipotina	7. Bella Nipotina
2. Free To Move	1. Valaquenta
5. Portland Sky	5. Portland Sky
1. Valaquenta	3. Rock the Ring

Group 1 Manikato Stakes 2020 (Moonee Valley 1200m)

Group 1 Cox Plate 2020 (Moonee Valley 2040m)

Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase 2020 (Moonee Valley 2040m)

Group 2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic 2020 (Moonee Valley 1600m)

Listed William Crockett Stakes 2020 (Moonee Valley 1200m)