Canterbury and Moonee Valley is an unusual Saturday combination, but they are both good punting tracks if playing reasonably even, and the confidence is up heading into two cards with some very promising horses returning.
Here is a snap-shot of the better bets, moves and lays for the big day:
MY BEST BET: CANTERBURY – R3 4 ALBRECHT: Debuted here on a heavy track eight weeks back, did plenty wrong, and still won easy. Given plenty of time to recover, and on the fresh side again, will prove too smart for these!
THE NEXT BEST: MOONEE VALLEY – R6 4 SAID COM: Only the price stops me from declaring him the best, but anything in black figures is outstanding, although you’ll have to move quick. Goes very well fresh, trialled enormous, and will jump in the red. Drawn to sit off the speed, and just go bang!
THE VALUE BET: CANTERBURY – R7 8 AL’S GOLD: Very honest and hit the line strong last two despite little room in the straight. Gets in light now, and drawn to get a lovely smother back in the field. Way over the odds!
THE BIG LAY: CANTERBURY – R5 7 VANTAGE POINT: Decent class rise here from Gosford back into town, and while dropping in weight, looks a length or two behind a few of these!
BEST BACKED ON LUXBET: MOONEE VALLEY – R7 8 ONE LAST DANCE: Unbeaten former top two-year-old returning after a whopping 77 weeks off, but reportedly so forward, she’s straight into open class, and punters have charged in backing her from the opening $4.60 into $3.20!
NEIL’S MOONEE MARVEL
R2 13. BOMBALATOMBA: Around $4.60 – Loved his first-up run down the Flemington straight when didn’t get a lot of room, and even better suited now around a bend. Will s ettle back from a good draw, but on the limit weight is beautifully placed to power over the top and break through second-up!
NEIL’S CANTERBURY CRACKER
R4 2. TITBIT: Around $8.00 – Pulled up last start when suffering cardiac arrhythmia, but proved she’s recovered with a strong trial win at Rosehill, so punters can breathe easy. Before that was very good in heavy ground under 59kgs. This trip suits, and will sit back off the speed from a wider gate and power down the middle. Over the odds!
If you place a Fixed Odds or LuxDiv WIN bet on Race 4 at Canterbury and your selection comes second to the SP favourite, Luxbet will give you a Bonus Bet equal to your stake, up to $100.
NEIL’S DOOMBEN DASHERS
R4 3. SAINT ENCOSTA: Around $4.50 – Doesn’t win often, but kept on the fresh side after a strong second in the Grafton Cup nearly four weeks ago. S till think he’s got a length or two improvement whereas most of these have shown their hand. Will get a nice run midfield and swoop late!
R6 11. THE REVELLER: Around $12.00 – Don’t let this fellow get under your guard first-up at a big price. Goes well fresh, and beautifully placed here on the limit from a sound draw. This isn’t strong so watch for him to burst through late!
EARLY MOVERS ON LUXBET:
CANTERBURY
R2 9. THEBIGIAM ($21.00 into $19.00)
R5 4. URGENT BELLS ($7.00 into $6.00)
R8 5. DEHERE HUNTER ($7.00 into $6.00)
MOONEE VALLEY
R2 9. LORD OF BRAZIL ($6.50 into $5.50)
R5 9. OREGON SPIRIT ($3.70 into $3.40)