After a generous spell in the paddock during the festive season, Payney’s Punt makes what we hope to be a triumphant return.
The weather is warm, autumn racing is around the corner and our pockets are heavy, there’s not too many better feelings than that — perhaps only cracking the lid off a cold one after a long day on the tools.
This weekend the Australia Stakes (Group Two) takes centre stage at The Valley.
Nine races greet us on what should be a Good 4 track or Soft 5 at the worst and the rail will be in its true position.
If you are tuning in from home, at the local or on a mobile device, try and spot yours truly in the crowd.
There will be an ensemble of city boys looking to have better luck on the ponies than they do in the crypto world.
One of us will be hoping to have a day out like Kev Cain, son of former SP bookie Norm, who turned a blue heeler into $86,000 at Caulfield in the 1970s.
So for the sake of the fellas, please cross your fingers and toes and thank your mother for the rabbits.
If you are looking to back us in this weekend and part with your hard-earned, please remember to gamble responsibly.
Race 1. 12.40pm — BM70 (1500m)
An interesting affair to kick us off with two leading runners who have taken up much of the early market money. Looks like the speed will come from Zourisky (3) with Cherrypick (4) to sit in behind off the speed and the favourite Riojuki (6) to land at the back. Zourisky drops back from 1600m after finishing third last start in a quickly run race. Should be fit enough third-up to go on and win. Throntari (1) has been unlucky this prep with two consecutive runner-up finishes. Got to respect. I’m not sure if we got to see all of Schiller Effect (8) in her maiden, with the filly held up before finishing hard. The extra furlong is a tick, but this is much tougher.
Top tip: Zourisky
Race 2. 1.15pm — BM78 (1600m)
A small field in the second and a tricky race to navigate. Americain Angel (5) saluted last start after it was heavily backed. Any rain and this mare will be hard to beat. Beat home Star Of Eden (4) who just couldn’t hang on. Expect Star Of Eden to lead and fourth-up, will be fitter here. Sweet Karolina (3) can give things a shake. Placed last start and has never missed the placings over this trip. Starring Role (6) is a big danger. Beat home Sweet Karolina and could surprise again.
Top tip: Americain Angel
Race 3. 1.50pm — Hcp (1600m)
Stay Gold (2) comes in looking for a hat-trick of wins. Did a good job winning last start over the mile and Jamie Kah is a big tick. Drops in weight from previous run and will be hard to beat. We have opted for Symon Wilde’s Zoltan (8) here. Found trouble in first start in Oz and ran second last start over 1400m behind Tuvalu. With Linda Meech in the saddle connections will be hoping that she can get a good jump and settle forward from barrier one. Muswellbrook (7) has good form in the wet and has form around The Valley.
Top tip: Quinella 2, 8
Race 4. 2.25pm — BM70 (2040m)
A lot of love for lightly-raced runner Dundirtcheap (5) in race four. Must be respected with a leading stable which seems to get the job done in races beyond 2000m. Reliable Dude (4) ran second over 1800m when favourite last start. Aurora’s Symphony (1) has been racing strongly at the country cups. Has placed in all three runs this prep and is proven at this distance. Both wins at this distance have come with a weight higher than 58kg. Rousseau (6) could be worth a dabble. The gelding has a 4:2-2-0 record over 2000m and won at this track four starts ago. Four seconds in the wet. Only needs to show his best to get the job done.
Top tip: Rousseau EW
Race 5. 3pm — VOBIS Gold Carat (1200m)
This should be a belter with multiple runners capable of getting it done. Pinstriped (4) returns from a spell and has one sole appearance at the races. And what a performance it was. On a Heavy 9 track, Pinstriped waltzed home by more than five lengths. Happy to look elsewhere. Finance Tycoon (1) returns from a break. Ran fourth in last year’s Blue Diamond Stakes and this is a big drop in grade. Has the top weight and might be worth having a look. Danny’s St Darci (7) loves running here and should be hard to beat. Has a 7:4-1-0 record over this trip too. Won last start by more than three lengths in BM64. Luna Cat (8) could be worth a cheeky dabble. Beat home Danny’s St Darci three back by more than three lengths and the pair is at equal weights in this race. Gets back to 1200m. Barrier four gives us demons.
Top tip: Luna Cat or quinella (7, 8)
Race 6. 3.40pm — BM70 (1600m)
Early speed will come from Delightful Journey (10) and race favourite Gentleman Roy (2). The latter has been in great nick, winning two and running second in past three attempts. That runner-up finish was over 1600m and just died in the backside real late, so the extra fitness fourth up should help. Has drawn wide, but should find a nice spot on the outside behind Delightful Journey. No dramas with the 60kg. Only query is wet ground form. Goes on top as our best of the day. Gracias Amigo (4) stormed home over the top of them last time out but rises 6kg. Any claim will help. The Regiment (1) is a big danger. Loves running here and over this distance.
Top tip: Gentleman Roy
Race 7. 4.20pm — Australia Stakes (1200m)
The feature race seems to be all about one mare and that’s Marabi (10). The Maher and Eustace-trained runner is a short favourite after five-straight wins from as many starts. Has three wins over this trip, two at this track and is running in quick time. Hardest test to date here, but is the one to catch. We are happy to look elsewhere and can’t go past Turaath (9). The speed looks quick with Marabi to lead from Turaath, Streets Of Avalon (1) and Lightsaber (12). Turaath is yet to win at this distance, but if there’s any rain around, last year’s Let’s Elope Stakes winner goes on top. Damian Lane should have the mare well placed on the outside. Lightsaber has won two recent jump-outs and has placed first-up. And you can’t overlook Streets Of Avalon. Last year’s winner returns from a let-up and normally runs a strong race at The Valley. Wild Planet (2) can surprise at juicy odds. Has form over this trip and likes the cut out of the ground.
Top tip: Turaath EW
Race 8. 5pm — BM70 (1000m)
There should be another fast tempo in race eight, with three or four pushing forward to lead. Favourite Midwest (12) has drawn barrier 12 and will try push to the front, but has Lunar Hero (1) and Kev’s Girl (9) right beside him. Has won three straight and is the one to beat. Won last start from barrier 13 and has pace to overcome wide draw. Midwest will have a jockey change with Logan McNeil suspended on Thursday morning for reckless riding. Kev’s Girl loves racing at The Valley and is in strong form. Drops slightly in the weights. Looks a good each-way play. Cosmic Rhapsody (5) just missed last start in this grade and has won here before.
Top tip: Kev’s Girl EW
Race 9. 5.40pm — BM70 (1000m)
A tough race to end on. Go wide for those having a dip at the quaddie. There will be plenty of early running with the majority looking to push forward. Okay To Pay (1), More (7) and Distillate (6) and Boss Lady Rocks (9) look like the front runners. More won last start over this journey and has been racing in great form. Gets a proven hoop in the saddle. Universal Lady (11) could be worth watching. Will likely settle off the speed and expect a big finish. Weight claim is a tick. Not a lot of confidence here so might let this one through to the keeper.
Top tip: More
Best of the day
When: Tomorrow
Where: The Valley
Race 6: Gentleman Roy (2)