The Moonee Valley Racing Club, in consultation with Racing Victoria and following the Government’s announcement advising the restrictions on the number of attendees at mass gatherings as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19), have confirmed Friday night’s Keogh Homes William Reid Stakes meeting will proceed with only racing participants and industry officials on course.
The meeting on Friday night will commence with Race 1 at 5:30pm and the last race at 9:00pm. The Group 1 Keogh Homes William Reid Stakes will be run at 8:30pm. The general public can tune into Racing.com and Sky Racing to enjoy a great night of Group 1 racing from The Valley.
This earlier start was in response to a request from the Victorian Jockeys Association to allow jockeys to ride at both The Valley on Friday night and Rosehill Gardens for Golden Slipper Day on Saturday.
In a brilliant renewal to the Keogh Homes William Reid Stakes, a field of 11 will take their place including the most recent winners of the Memsie Stakes, Black Caviar Lightning, Oakleigh Plate, Golden Rose, Newmarket Handicap, Coolmore Stud Stakes and Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes. The barrier draw has created some interesting scenarios with current favourite Bivouac drawing one and potential leader in Pippie drawing ten. An interesting contender is Cox Plate runner Mystic Journey, who is having her first start back since her fifth placing in the 2019 Ladbrokes Cox Plate.
Friday night also sees the Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Final worth $125,000 take place, with the winning trainer to take home a bonus $55,000 cash from Ladbrokes. South Australian trainer Will Clarken is the current leader with his sprinter Bella Vella clocking 55.10 on October 25, with his mare looking to make a sure thing of it by running again on Friday night. She will be up against a solid line up of 955m specialists, with three other past winners this season in the field.
Friday Night is the final night for the Drummond Golf Ride Of The Night, where Racing.Com’s Dean Pettit will hand over another $100 Drummond Golf Voucher to the best ride. However, he will also announce the winner of the Drummond Golf Ride Of The Season, whereby one lucky jockey will win a $2500 Drummond Golf Voucher as selected by the Racing.Com panel.
The track is currently rated a Good 4 with no rainfall due for the next few days, with the rail to be in the True position.
All bookings and tickets sold for Friday night’s race meeting will be fully refunded. Any queries regarding refunds can be directed to our Customer Service Team at customerservice@mvrc.net.au or 1300 843 825.