Last year’s winner Bonneval is back in the race she won convincingly in 2017, but Night’s Watch opened as the early favourite in the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley.
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Having powered home to win the Jockey Celebration Day Handicap at Caulfield, Night’s Watch is back in action after a seven-day turnaround and rated an early favourite for Saturday’s Group 2 showdown over 1,600 metres.
Despite jockey Damian Lane’s suspension and the fact this is Night Watch’s first ever trip to Moonee Valley, the five-year-old – who will be ridden by John Allen – has attracted plenty of interest, with TAB listing him at $3.30 to win in the Fixed Odds market.
Hartnell is next in line in the betting stakes, with the Godolphin import taking on a much lighter spring schedule than in previous years. The eight-year-old won’t race in either the Caulfield Cup or Melbourne Cup this year, with trainer James Cummings preferring to keep his multiple Group 1 winner fresh for shorter distances.
Hartnell finished second to Showtime in the PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield on August 18, and TAB has listed him at $4.00 to win, with Craig Williams set to take the reins.
Bonneval was recently named New Zealand Horse of the Year for the second year running – despite the fact she missed Australia’s autumn season through injury.
Co-trainer Andrew Forsman says his five-year-old mare has travelled well for the start of her spring campaign, but after following up her win in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes last year with an even more impressive win in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes, Bonneval is unlikely to fly under the radar this time around.
Ridden by Regan Bayliss in what will be the Kiwi mare’s first race since last year’s Caulfield Cup, TAB has Bonneval listed at $7.00 to win.
HIGH HOPES
Hiyaam is joined in the race by stablemate Mighty Boss, and trainer Mick Price has high hopes for both. Hiyaam finished sixth in the Harrolds Handicap at Moonee Valley on August 25, and TAB has the four-year-old priced at $8.50 to win.
Price says Mighty Boss is as fit as he’s ever been, and with the Caulfield Cup the ultimate aim, the TAB has Mighty Boss listed at $14.00 to win in the Fixed Odds market. The four-year-old finished 11th in the PB Lawrence Stakes in his most recent start.
One-time Japanese flyer Ambitious launches his spring assault with jockey Mark Zahra on board, for the Anthony Freedman-trained thoroughbred’s first race since finishing fourth in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup at Doomben on June 9. TAB has Ambitious priced at $8.50 to win.
Spanish Reef looks the best of the rest at $13.00, with Odeon and Homesman each paying $15.00 to win, while Magic Consol is at $26.00. Red Cardinal is paying $126.00 in the early betting markets for those who fancy a long shot.
