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City Jeep Handicap Moonee Valley race preview
27 November 2015 10:41 AM
Race 7 at Moonee Valley on Saturday is the City Jeep Handicap run over the 1000m course. The track was rated a Good 4 this morning and with sunny days ahead not much is expected to change before they jump. This course gives runners a solid 450m straight from a chute inside the course proper, before they meet the turn leading into the short home straight, so barriers aren't as significant as they are for other distances at the track.
Early favourite in the race is Churchill Dancer. He finished 2 lengths behind the mighty Chautauqua two starts back and found them a bit too good last start in Group 2 company. Gets it a bit easier here. Freshened since and carries 57kg with the claim from Dylan Dunn.
Straturbo has a good record fresh on dry tracks. His recent two efforts rate well for this race. Drawn well to get a forward position with reasonable gate speed.
Sistine Demon didn't finish his last preparation off well but has impressed at recent jump-outs. Usually prefers it a bit further than this but not knocking.
Lonrockstar resumes and boasts a great first-up record with 2 wins and 3 places from 5 starts. Rates well against these with 55kg. Some work to do for Boss with little gate speed from barrier one.
Last two starts for Grane over the 955m at the Valley are good form indicators for this. Both were solid runs in easier grade carrying 6.5kg plus. Should find a nice sit behind the front runners, peal wide and attack on the turn. Great record at the track so no doubting he will relish that race plan.
Unanimously put in a solid effort here at the Valley to run fifth by 1.1 lengths in a good field. Forgiven last start at Flemington down the straight on a Heavy track. Prefers dry and should be given every chance with Craig Williams riding.
A win from any of the others would not surprise. One of those races where you can't rule any of them out. Best of the bunch for me is It's Poets Day showing a lot of character to beat the girls at her last start this track 955m. Some solid performances before that too.
1st #6 Grane form, weight drop and speed maps look great for him here. Current quotes of $8 are good.
2nd #9 Unanimously
3rd #1 Churchill Dancer
Mike Steward