The feature race at Moonee Valley on Saturday is the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes 2014 which see’s this years Melbourne Cup favourite ‘The Offer’ line-up in the race. We take a look at the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes odds and field to give our top tips and selections in the race.

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Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes 2014 Field

1. FORETELLER – G Boss (11)

Chris Waller’s consistent competitor was doing his best work late first up when fourth (2.2 lengths) behind Star Rolling in the P. B. Lawrence three weeks ago. The now 8yo won the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) second up this time last year after similar fresh run and was a close up fifth at his second run in last prep to Fiorente in the G2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m). His only start on the Valley track saw him run a great fourth in W. S. Cox Plate behind Shamus Award. Will get back but be swooping strongly late.

2. THE OFFER – T Berry (6)

Completed a domination of the Sydney staying events during the autumn with an easy 3 ¾ length win in the Sydney Cup (3200m), his third win on the trot and his fourth from five starts on a heavy track. The Montjeu gelding has had two trials in readiness for his return completing both, which were over 1200m and 1250m, well within himself. Generally takes a few runs and reaching a distance of at least 2000m before he produces his best form, coupled with the likelihood that he’ll be out the back in the run, connections should be satisfied with seeing him hitting the line.

3. CRACKERJACK KING – M Walker (1)

Imported galloper who had his first Australian start, and his first race in just short of two years, in last month’s Aurie’s Star Stakes (1200m) at Flemington. The 7yo stallion, who won seven from seven on good tracks in Europe from 1800 – 2200m, no surprisingly found the opposition too slick and finished last of eleven, thirteen lengths from Tiger Tees. That hit-out and the step up to the mile will help but not enough you would imagine seeing him figure in the finish here.

4. THE CLEANER – S Arnold (2)

The 7yo gelding recorded his second win from four starts this time in with a tough effort in an Open Handicap (1600m) here at Moonee Valley just over a month ago. Under 60.5kgs, the Tasmanian galloper set a solid tempo out in front but was still able to find when challenged, defeating Fast And Free by a comfortable 1 ¼ lengths. Has great stats at his trip and track and appears to be as tough as boots however, this is a big step up in class and under the WFA conditions of the race, he only carries 1.5kgs less than last start. Will run them along but have a lot of proven performers breathing down his neck at the top of the straight.

5. MOURINHO – C Newitt (10)

He was perfectly steered from gate three first up by Craig Newitt to win an Open class (1500m) a fortnight ago, defeating stable-mate Hvasstan by a ¾ of a length. The Oratorio gelding is an honest competitor and does have a G3 win at this track to his name (JRA Cup, 2040m) however, this is a significant step up in terms of quality compared to races he generally contests in and the WFA scale should see him tested.

6. PAKAL – N Hall (5)

We’ve only seen Mick Price’s 6yo a handful of times in the past twelve months but the son of Lord Of England has made each run count, winning the Cranbourne Cup and finishing within two lengths of Side Glance and Fiorente in the G1 McKinnon Stakes and G2 Peter Young Stakes respectively. Price has given his charge a good hit-out over 1190m in a recent Cranbourne Trail and he has produced strong fresh runs at his distance range in the past. Barrier five should give Hall the option to place the 6yo to advantage throughout.

7. LIDARI – L Nolen (8)

Drew the second to widest gate when resuming in the P. B. Lawrence and pushed forward in the run to sit on the pace. When the pace picked up from the turn though, the 6yo stallion couldn’t match it with leader and eventual winner Star Rolling, finishing fifth (2.3 lengths). He ran a cracking third (beaten neck) in this race last year behind Fiorente after winning first up. With a quieter ride from gate eight and a more genuine tempo up front, wouldn’t dismiss his chances from doing so again.

8. HVASSTAN – D Dunn (3)

After a poor autumn campaign, the 5yo by Fastnet Rock returned from a sixteen week spell and continued his good form on the Moonee Valley track, by running second to stable-mate Mourinho in an Open class (1500m) a fortnight ago. Ran a narrow second in the Yarra Valley Cup (1950m) last time out but this race is a major step up from that and on his first up run. Enjoys racing at the Valley and has drawn ideally here, he should secure the right run behind the pace but he has contested four Group races in the past twelve months, finishing well outside of the placings on each occasion.

9. STAR ROLLING – S Baster (4)

The lightly raced gelding who found plenty when challenged in recording a narrow win over Spillway in the P B Lawrence Stakes a fortnight ago. That was his fifth win from only twelve starts and the son of Casino Price looks set to repay his trainers – Morgan and Widdison – for their patience with a solid campaign off of that performance. Found the box seat when third (long neck) to Fiorente in the Peter Young Stakes earlier this year, only one of his two attempts at WFA, and obviously come back in good form. From another good draw here, he cannot be dismissed.

10. GRIS CARO – M Zahra (9)

Imported French galloper who made produced a fantastic effort to claim the Listed Balaclava Cup (1600m) at his first local start, first up off a 43 week spell, last September. He followed that up by running a lock neck second to Mourinho in the JRA Cup (2040m) and was then spelled after finishing out of the placing in the Listed Visit Victoria in November of 2013. Returned to racing only week and a half ago where not surprisingly, he found the opposition in the Listed Penny Edition (1400m) a bit too slick. Yard generally goes ok when coming to Melbourne but might find this a bit rich.

11. FOUNDRY – C Williams

Former imported galloper raced by Lloyd Williams who immediately made an impression in Australia, recording an impressive win over 1400m at his first local start in February and backing that up by running second to Lidari in the G2 Blamey Stakes. His return to racing last fortnight in an Open class (1500m) was eagerly anticipated and the 5yo son of Galileo started the $4.60 favourite. Unfortunately for his connections and supporters, he was never in the hunt and finished second to last, close to ten lengths from the winner Mourinho. Has a big turnaround to make off of his first up run and that makes him hard to take with confidence.

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Odds/Results:

RACE OVERVIEW

Not hard to predict The Cleaner as the leader here. Steve Arnold is a great judge of pace and will give the battler every chance to have his moment in the sun. He will provide a good bunny for Star Rolling though who’ll have him in his from the jump out of gate four. A solid pace up front should suit Foreteller who was good off a moderate tempo first up in the P. B. Lawrence but somewhat surprised to see his regular Melbourne rider Craig Newitt decide to stick with last start winner Mourinho.

1. STAR ROLLING
2. FORETELLER
3. LIDARI
4. THE CLEANER

News:

Steven Arnold will not deviate from familiar tactics on The Cleaner when he rides the front-runner for the first time in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes.

The Cleaner faces his biggest test when he takes aim in the weight-for-age race at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

The Mick Burles-trained gelding showed his grit with an all-the-way win over the same course and distance last start and Arnold know’s the gelding’s determination is his best asset.

“If he’s back, there’s something’s gone wrong,” Arnold said.

“His style is to break the field up and use his toughness. He’ll be rolling along and sort of daring them to catch him.”

The Cleaner is on the second line of betting for the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes, a race which earns the winner automatic entry into the Cox Plate.

Lawrence Stakes winner Star Rolling is the favourite at $4 in a field which also includes proven weight-for-age performer Foreteller ($7) and the Melbourne Cup favourite The Offer ($12).

The Cleaner has won the past two times he’s raced at Moonee Valley but will be chasing his first Melbourne stakes win on Saturday.

“There’s a couple of classy horses in the race but it would be his time to beat them, if he can beat them,” Arnold said.