Saturday, December 31
MOODY ON A RIVER CRUISE
Progressive three-year-old filly RIVER NOIRE can go one place better when she returns to the races in the $80,000 Benchmark 64 Handicap over 1200m from Moonee Valley racecourse, Australia, on Saturday.
RIVER NOIRE is at her third career start this week and has shown promising ability in each start so far. The Peter Moody-trained daughter of thriving sire Winning Rupert debuted in mid-November with an impressive all-the-way victory in a Maiden at Moe, drawing clear by a decisive 4.5 lengths.
RIVER NOIRE was sent straight to Flemington second-up, where she stepped out in a $150,000 Benchmark 70 Handicap for three-year-olds over 1200m, far from disgracing herself as she made a late bid but fell short by one length. The Valley should suit RIVER NOIRE’S pattern and she looks one to follow through the grades.
LUCK IS ON GOLDEE’S SIDE
Three-year-old gelding GOLDEELUCK can go one place better this Saturday when he contests the $30,000 Maiden race over 1200m at Toowoomba racecourse, Australia.
GOLDEELUCK met heavy market support on debut three weeks ago when charging home late to finish a close second over 900m at Gold Coast. Had the son of Winning Rupert jumped from a better draw that day, he would most likely have won the race.
This week, GOLDEELUCK strikes a highly winnable race, where most of his rivals have shown little thus far, and from pole position, he can prove very hard to beat under jockey Tegan Harrison.
Sunday, January 1
ALSEPHINA IN FINE TUNE
Quality mare ALSEPHINA looks primed to score six wins in a row when she contests the $150,000 Group 3 La Trice Classic over 1800m from Ascor, Australia, on Sunday.
The four-year-old mare ALSEPHINA has been one of the most progressive sorts in the West over the course of 2022, with her good form looking all set to continue through t0 2023. The eight-time winner from 10 was last seen winning the Listed Starstruck Stakes over the mile on 17 December.
Rising to 1800m for the first time, ALSEPHINA looks suited. As the form choice, she can continue winning ways.
LUCY’S CHOICE LOOKS WISE
Handy sprinter VOGUE’S CHOICE is primed to return to the winner’s list this Sunday when she lines up in the $60,000 Ascend Trophies Handicap over 1000m at Ascot racecourse, Australia.
A three-time winner from nine starts, VOGUE’S CHOICE has been racing against strong opposition since resuming from a two-month break in November. Most recently, the daughter of Patronize outperformed her ratings to check into a meritorious fourth in the Epona Classic over 1200m at this track.
This week, VOGUE’S CHOICE is suited by dropping back to 1000m, where she boasts a perfect record, and with top jockey Lucy Warwick remaining on board, she can prove hard to run down.
