WINNING CHANCES AT THE VALLEY

A busy Saturday for us at home and in New Zealand with four runners at Moonee Valley and five at Ellerslie.

Bill The Bee, Alburq, Gundown and Chicago Cub are our representatives at the Valley with Bill The Bee the first to go in race five, the Benchmark 64 Handicap over 1500m where scratchings have reduced the opposition to five.

Bill The Bee was only narrowly touched off first-up and has pleased Mike Moroney since.

“He’s taken good benefit from his first-up run and although he’s drawn the outside the scratchings have helped,” Moroney said.

I’d say he will press forward and be on speed and while today’s race looks a bit harder I’m expecting him to run very well.”

Alburq (pictured) commences a new preparation in race six, the Benchmark 70 Three-Year-Old Handicap over 1200m with Michael Dee riding from barrier three.

“It’s a strong looking race so it will be a test for him but I’m happy with the way he has come up,” Moroney said.

“He’s got experience at the track and he’s in good form at home so I do think he will be hard to beat.”

Gundown is on the quick back-up in race eight, the Benchmark 90 Handicap over 2040m with Thomas Stockdale reducing his weight to 57kg.

“He had a quiet little gallop on Thursday and he’s giving us all the right signs he is good to go,” Moroney said.

“This little bit of rain overnight will help him and although he’s got a slightly trick draw provided he can get a clear run at them I’m expecting him to run well in what is a winnable race for him.”

Chicago Cub runs in the last race of the day, the Benchmark 78 Handicap over 1200m with Thomas Stockdale to ride from barrier 10.

“I’m concerned about the barrier and even though it’s a strong race I’d think he will be right in it,” Moroney said.

“He’s got experience on the course and has worked well so provided he can get in from the draw I think he’s a really good chance.”