A stacked eight race card has been assembled on Friday for William Reid Stakes Night at The Valley.
All eyes will be on undefeated mare Marabi in the $1 million sprint feature, while there are also three other black-type races on the program.
We’ve analysed the entire meeting and our best bets can be found below.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – 6:15pm – Carlton Draught Emma Boling (1200m)
Quite keen on Able Willie to begin the program.
Lightly raced three-year-old out of Chris Waller’s camp that really hasn’t put a foot wrong in five starts to date.
The son of Written Tycoon won well on debut at Kensington during the spring and has since resumed to run second first-up at Canterbury, fourth at Rosehill, and fourth again in the Inglis Sprint at Flemington a couple of weeks ago.
The form out of the Inglis looks okay with the winner Overpass going on to run well in The Galaxy last week, and I think Able Willie should appreciate racing back on top of the ground after striking wet tracks recently.
Race 2 – 6:45pm – Ascend Sales Trophies Handicap (1200m)
Doesn’t look a bad race for Point Blaze at a decent price.
This mare by Shamus Award was strong to the line on New Year’s Day for second over 1400m at Murray Bridge before running fourth in the Matrice Stakes at Morphettville a couple of weeks ago.
This is a drop back in class for her, and she does get in well with the claim. Drawn to find cover around midfield and she should be strong late.
Race 3 – 7:15pm – Food Services Valley Pearl (1200m)
Nanagui clocked some speedy sectionals over the final 400m in a Group 3 at Flemington a couple of weeks ago and looks ready to win now.
The Sebring filly has made two starts for two runner ups to begin her career and has drawn much kinder on this occasion from barrier four.
She should be close to peak fitness, while Jamie Kah’s reputation with two-year-old’s has always been strong. Look for her late.
Race 4 – 7:45pm – Group 2 Sunline Stakes (1600m)
Sticking with the favourite Flying Mascot in the Sunline Stakes.
The daughter of Tavistock steps out in search of her hat-trick after winning the Mannerism first-up at Caulfield, and then the Matron Stakes a couple of weeks ago by a clear two lengths at Headquarters.
She’s always been a good miler and this draw should see her land on speed and potentially lead all the way. Blaike McDougall sticks in the saddle, and with a win on the board at The Valley in the past, she’s the one they all have to beat.
Race 5 – 8:15pm – Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Final (955m)
This should be a cracking finale to the Ladbrokes 55 Second challenge with a case to be made for a few.
I’ve got Esta La Roca on top in her third run back after running third in a Stakes race at Caulfield on Australia Day, and fifth in the Bob Hoysted down the Flemington straight a few weeks ago.
With two wins and two placings to her name, it’s safe to say she absolutely loves racing at The Valley, while she also gets in well with the claim.
Race 6 – 8:45pm – Chandler Macleod Handicap (2040m)
Austrata looks set to peak now ahead of his fourth run back.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding has found the money in all three of his starts this time in work, including here at The Valley where he finished a clear three-lengths third to Gentleman Roy over the mile.
He was strong late for second a couple of weeks ago over further at Sandown and has had a go at 2040m in the past. The wide barrier is the only knock, but it might help him get back and run on late.
Race 7 – 9:15pm – Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m)
Hard to knock what Marabi has accomplished at the races so far, and there’s no question she’s deserving of her status as favourite in the William Reid Stakes.
The lightly raced mare out of the Maher and Eustace yard scored a well-deserved Group 1 a few weeks ago by winning the Oakleigh Plate, extending her unbeaten record to 7-0.
She only needs to hold that form to put this average field away, and with an equally impressive record at The Valley, I just don’t see her losing.
If you are looking for some value, I think Kemalpasa is the one.
He’s been kept fresh since beating Behemoth in a Stakes race at Morphettville back in January and was also third to Celebrity Queen and Portland Sky in that dead-heat Oakleigh Plate last year. Should push forward from out wide and take some catching.
Race 8 – 9:45pm – Group 3 Dynamic Print Group Alexandra Stakes (1600m)
Competitive race over the mile to wrap up the night.
This is a step back up in class for Ancient Girl, but the way she’s been racing since resuming for a win at Sandown last month suggests she’s capable of handling it.
The Clinton McDonald-trained filly went on to run third in the Group 3 Vanity Stakes at Flemington two weeks later before gapping her rivals by over 2.5L in the Morphettville Guineas a couple of weeks ago.
I like the fact she sticks to 1600m, and if John Allen shifts across early from out wide, they’ll take some serious catching on speed.
