March 31

Moonee Valley

Race 1-Scarlet Scene the perenial placegetter found enough on the line to take the first in a big drive to the line. Danevede chased her pretty good all the way to nab second, while Close the Till was a bit unlucky in third. She had to bullock her way between horses cornering and in the straight and then had to change course in the final 100m. Barefoot Marvel was absolutely unlucky a real victim of race positioning. The two horses she tracked in to the race both brought undone, firstly AndallthatJazz and then Nothin Like Mary when the race got serious. She ran on well so forget she went around. Good speed, good overall time and home in 37.77

Race 2- Morgan Dollar positioned well and was too good for these. Love's Great had the drop all the way and was good but found wanting in class. Real Belele a nice debut perhaps can get further. Forget Zilzaal went around as the rider lost the irons before the home turn, looked good up to that point. Home in 35.39

Race 3- Illustration attempted to outstay Maldivian by making an assertive race move by taking up the lead. Running them along at a stronger than medium tempo, the two class runners made a great race for it. Maldivian as predicted got the better of Illustration and was too strong on the line for the Bart Cummings trained Clavillo. Very impressive and strong effort again by the winner. The Value of betting on-line with a bookie was very apparent here. Best tote punters would have scored at best a dividend of $2.10. Sportsbet, Centrebet punters with the option of Top Fluctuation scored like myself a dividend of $2.60. That makes a huge difference on a hard day's racing. I'd give it away if I was just betting at the Tab.

Race 4- The loss of many runners and the unexpected speed in the race played into the hands of the tough Juste Momente. Easy in betting with El Pauji the topweights came away to fight this one out. Juste Momente was good but had it made to order, El Paji honest, Collodi pretty good and perhaps the fast pace second up could be used as an excuse, while Surfside Christmas was dissapointing. Home in 37.74

Race 5- Macau Causeway showed today the good tough galloper he is. Deledio went up to challenge him on the turn but couldn't match the winner's toughness. Who's Ya Daddy was ridden poorly and couldn't have finished an closer than he did. Expect a bit more from him next start. Home in 37.09 with the leaders finishing one...two.

Race 6- Orange County blazed its way down the middle of the track. Looked great in winning, Volitant showed great pace early and looked close to a win on that, while the rest looked pretty dusty outside of Pelias who ran home keenly. Home in 36.96

Race 7- Miss Rubiton tracked leaders Wildlife Girl and Star Rose all the way, found a great split at the top of the straight and managed to get the job done from there. Took a while to get to them but was strong on the line. As was Fearless Waters who put in another really strong display. Danisierra was hopeless. Home in 35.83

Race 8- Bianomour a trojan at the moment, found the lead from out wide and never looked back from there. Travelling even before the home turn the race looked over at the turn and that's how it panned out. Sarrera ran a nicley ran in second but just couldn't match the winner who's hot at the moment...but had a fair gap on Purple Chocolate and the rest.

Our best bet Apache Cat was clearly the lowlight of Damien Oliver's Day. A retarded ride. Apache Cat missed the start and then Oliver had a choice of sitting behind Mentality or diving underneath and taking the rails run. On a horse who's best trait is too beat his rivals with a long sustained sprint this was a serious error in judgement. He got lucky at Sandown where he too jumped on the rails, as there speed was put into the race early enough for Apache to take advantage. Here the pros weren't going to let this happen and what occurred was quite predictable, those who watched the horse go over the line the toughest in third had every right to be pissed off. And there would have been plenty too as he was backed in the last roll from 2.80 - 2.45 on the jump. Rubbish ride...and should have won if ridden better and to the horses strengths.

Win of the Day-

Maldivian

Horses To Follow - Deferential

Better than it looks - Apache Cat

We might have a few new segments on site this week like Newcastle Ratings on Saturday and Midweek ratings on Wednesday.

Tim McDonnell.

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