3 minute read

Moonee Valley might not hit with quite the same force as Caulfield last week where an interesting McKenzie Stakes headlines a tricky betting card.

The main point of interest in the McKenzie is Hilal, twice Group One placed at the back of his two-year-old season and a good few lengths ahead of those he has to round up on Saturday. 

He looks a genuine Caulfield Guineas candidate on his profile at this stage and gets a chance to prove as much in a race that he really should be winning if that is the case. 

Betting indicates as much, he's loosely $2.40 in early markets, and that doesn't draw us to have a bet. 

Instead we move on from Hilal; talented, hugely promising and with a big spring ahead of him, to one that probably doesn't - Pancho. 

In race seven, Pancho meets horses with more upside than him, the Maher/Eustace stayers Heart Of Puissance and Grand Promenade are potential players in good spring staying features, but he gets them at the right time and in the right spot for him. 

He's fit and firing, as good as ever when just edged out last time, and he isn't completely exposed at the trip. A good overall time last start should have him bursting out of his skin and he race sets up for him to roll across into the first couple without much fuss for a top jock in Craig Williams. There's a bit to like and prices around $6.00 look worth taking. 

We land on one fairly similar in the half-priced race on the card, race four, with Think 'n' Fly a good each way gamble at around the $10 mark. 

Again, we find one that has his cards face up, but they aren't terrible cards and the less-exposed don't look much better than him - if at all. 

Think 'n' Fly is a limited but very solid miler on his day. He had less luck than ideal last time, after a flat one the start prior, but his effort to push Degraves (a decent favourite in the last on this card) three back is a strong piece of form for this and far from a fluke. 

He's generally very reliable and again has D. Oliver to steer, the jock here with the best Valley record - and by some way. 

THE MELBOURNE MAIL 

Bet Of The Day: Race 7 #7 Pancho @ $6.00 

Each Way Play: Race 4 #3 Think 'n' Fly @ $10.00