3 minute read
Following on from a huge Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Night, we're back to The Valley this week for another exciting Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights!
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
Eight races make up the meeting, the rail will be set out 7 metres around the entire course and at publish, we're looking at a track rated in the Good (4) range.
Check out all of my Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights selections below.
Race 1 - 6:15pm: Ladbrokes Form Genius Plate (1200m)
Romani Ite Domum only just missed on debut at Sandown and can go one better at The Valley on Friday night.
The Ribchester gelding attracted interest in betting head of the 1300m maiden and mustered a nice turn of foot to finish just over a head second behind Andrina.
With natural improvement for the experience, he can begin his rise through the grades.
3 Units Romani Ite Domum
Race 2 - 6:45pm: MGI Golf Handicap (3000m)
Muktamil has been a model of consistency this time in and rates as a key winning chance again at The Valley on Friday night.
The Busuttin & Young-trained gelding hasn't finished worse than second at his last five appearances and was last seen hitting the line to comfortably win in BM64 company at Sandown.
He's untested over the 3000m, but something like this really does look the next logical target for him.
2 Units Muktamil
Race 3 - 7:15pm: MyRacehorse It's Showtime Handicap (1000m)
Flying On A Limb is the one for me fresh into Race 3 at The Valley on Friday night.
The Flying Artie mare hasn't been seen at the races since April, but she boasts an excellent fresh record, and she wasn't disgraced in a couple of races tougher than this one last season.
She's drawn ideally in barrier 3 and anything close to her best would see her into the finish of something like this.
2 Units Flying On A Limb
Race 4 - 7:45pm: Musk Creed Farm Handicap (2040m)
I'm keen to stick with Flamin' Romans when he goes around in the fourth at The Valley this week.
The full brother to Group 1 winner Smokin' Romans has been racing in strong and consistent form since returning from a break, winning two of his last four starts, including a metro race down in South Australia, while he was only just denied by Whisky On The Hill at Caulfield last time out.
He's hard fit, he's raced well here at The Valley previously, and he should receive every chance in this small field.
2 Units Flamin' Romans
Race 5 - 8:15pm: Mittys Racing Colours Handicap (2040m)
This is one of the mot open races on the program, but I'm siding with first emergency French Graffiti and hoping that he gains a start.
French Graffiti has only made two appearances at the races so far, but he was a smart winner on debut at Horsham before hitting the line to finish second in BM58 company at Hamilton.
The rise in trip looks suitable at this point of his preparation and he has plenty of upside.
1 Unit French Graffiti
Race 6 - 8:45pm: Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Heat 2 (955m)
Blue Stratum is the one for me in this week's Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Heat.
Having shown some ability during his two-year-old season, Blue Stratum returned to action this time for consecutive wins, including a tough effort here at The Valley on Carlyon Stakes Day.
He finished a credible fourth in the Vain Stakes, was freshened and returned to action last weekend in what was an underwhelming performance.
I think he'll improve for that hit-out, he gets back to The Valley and with even luck, I'm confident he can bounce back
2 Units Blue Stratum
Race 7 - 9:15pm: Western General Bodyworks Handicap (1200m)
Capper Thirtynine has turned in some eye-catching performances this time in and rates as a key winning chance again at The Valley on Friday night.
Capper Thirtynine won three races in succession before returning from a quick freshen-up to fill the minors behind Isthmus at Flemington last time out.
I think he'll sharpen up for that run, while he'll just need a little luck in running to be fighting out the finish again.
1 Unit Capper Thirtynine
Race 8 - 9:45pm: Caspers Pies & Patries Handicap (1600m)
He'll Rip is third-up and ready to win.
The Team Corstens-trained gelding returned to action at Geelong last month to finish fourth, well beaten by Persian Spirit, but he enjoyed plenty of improvement into an eye-catching effort to finish second at Flemington last time out.
Fitter third-up, from the good draw and with some relief in the weights under Jett Stanley, he looks well placed here.
2 Units He'll Rip
