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2023 01 25

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Moonee Valley Racing Club respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of this land – the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation – and pays our respects to its Elders past, present, and emerging.

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Track specialist Snapper ready for Group 2 Valley assignment 

Mike Moroney’s rising sprinter Snapper will be looking for more black-type success this weekend when he contests the G2 MA Services Group Australia Stakes (1200m) on Saturday. Already boasting a record of seven starts for four wins and a second placing over 1200 metres at The Valley, the track and trip specialist comes into the race as one of the key hopefuls, currently reflected in the Ladbrokes fixed odds market as the $4.50 second elect. The son of Power did his sire proud last start at Flemington, staving off the challengers and darting away down the straight to land the biggest prize of his career in the Group 3 Standish Handicap, but Moroney believes the tight circumferences of The Valley this weekend should suit him even more. “His gate speed and then the way he corners. He just gets around that corner and he gets half a length to a length on them quickly. He hugs that rail, and he loves it”, Moroney said during the week. “He’s pretty hard to beat around The Valley for that reason.” Snapper bumps into fellow a speedster this Saturday in Jigsaw, who has won his last three races and narrowly shades him in the market as the $3.20 favourite. The pair are set to lock horns from the outset with both prone to leading, which makes for a fascinating battle of tactics in the early stages. “Our horse has any amount of speed. It will probably be a speed duel with both of them to a degree. “Our horse has taken a sit before, but he is very quick out of the gates and he gets into a rhythm very quickly. “Jye McNeil will ride him. It will be jump and lead if we can, but it will really depend on whether he jumps out, lands squarely and gets running straightaway.” Snapper dons the navy and yellow lightning bolt silks of prominent owner Rupert Legh, which were made famous by Chautauqua and in more recent times Tofane, who Moroney trained to win four Group 1 races. Their relationship sparked after Moroney won the 2000 Melbourne Cup with Brew, and the two have inseparable since with the likes of Alabama Express, Bankers Choice and Emissary just some of the other good horses they’ve had in the last few years. “After I won the Melbourne Cup with Brew, I was at a celebration party at the late Andrew Ramsden’s.&nbsp; “Rupert was there, and he was just starting to branch out. I just happened to be lucky enough to be the right person at the right place. He supported me and we got on fabulously from there. He’s been my main client since then and we’ve had a lot of success together.” Moroney won the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap last year in a big upset with Roch ‘N’ Horse, and that is where Snapper, regardless of Saturday’s result will ultimately head next. The two stable favourites are likely to cross swords for the first time in the Flemington feature, but while Roch ‘N’ Horse has his measure on ratings (111 v 96), Snapper will get his chance under handicap conditions. “The Newmarket is next because he’s now qualified for it. It’s a handicap so he’ll be in well this year. “We won it last year with Roch ‘N’ Horse and she was well in at the weights then. He’s going to have to run against her and several other good horses, but he now has automatic entry into it (via the Standish), so we’ll take advantage of that and have a go at it.” Snapper is sure to have his supporters this weekend as he aims up at a fifth Valley win from eight starts here, and a second crack at the Group 1 William Reid Stakes could be on the cards later this Autumn. &nbsp;

The Valley will once again play host to a leg of the National Pony Racing Series, with the Victorian event set to take place on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day, Saturday 22 March.A collaboration between Pony Club Australia and Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC), the series is designed to educate young riders on careers in the racing and breeding industry, giving them a taste of professional competition on major racedays.The series features six race meetings across Australia, culminating in the national finals in June. Before the Victorian leg, Ballarat hosted a Jumpstart weekend, where participants received riding instruction, horse health education, career insights, and rider fitness training.&nbsp;In preparation for their big moment on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day, competitors will also take part in a training day at The Valley to familiarise themselves with the track.On Saturday, two pony races will be held for state finalists aged 9 to 15. The first, over 450m at 11:30 am, is for ponies not exceeding 12.2hh, while the second, over 700m, is for ponies not exceeding 14hh. That event will take place following Race 3 on the card at 1:30 pm.&nbsp;Moonee Valley Racing Club has enjoyed its association with TIC and Pony Club Australia, providing young riders with the opportunity to gain experience on a major racing stage. The Valley hosted a leg of the first National Pony Racing Series in 2023, and last year on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day held a Shetland Pony Race.With the next generation of riders set to take centre stage once again, The Valley looks forward to another thrilling chapter in this growing series.

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Latest News

Explore the latest update on the Moonee Valley Racing Club redevelopment, including information on the budget, funding, and grandstand planning. For further details, continue reading!

Discover the latest updates on the progress of The Valley redevelopment, including information on the racecourse renovations, funding initiatives, and the design of the grandstand.