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William Reid Stakes Tips - Complete guide to The Valley Group 1 sprint

Joshua Bell

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Last updated: 21 Mar 2024

Joshua Bell 21 Mar 2024

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Runner-by-Runner Guide to the William Reid Stakes
Who will take out the Moonee Valley Group 1?
Will Imperatriz justify favouritism?

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Imperatriz (Getty Images)

The William Reid Stakes is run over 1200m at The Valley for three-year-old’s and over under weight-for-age conditions.

The Group 1 race was first run in 1925 and has been won by some champion sprinters including Manikato (1979,80,81,82,83), Hareeba (1995) and Black Caviar (2011,13).

Imperatriz headlines the field of 11 and we have gone through every one of them below with odds from Betr.

1. The Astrogolist (9)

Bounced back to a semblance of his best form when third in the Newmarket Handicap, beaten under two lengths.

He seems to be a bit of a Flemington specialist and is yet to place from two attempts at The Valley.

Best form is on a firm track which he will get on Saturday.

2. The Inferno (8)

Was well beaten by Imperatriz twice during the spring here at The Valley and is tough to see him turning the tables.

3. Queman (4)

Won his maiden Group 1 in the Oakleigh Plate last time out over 1100m and has won five of his last six starts.

He’ll need to improve to be competitive at weight-for-age where he rises 6.5kg on that Oakleigh Plate win but he’s a horse racing consistently.

4. Johnny Rocker (11)

Broke through for his third win from nine career starts here at The Valley last start but that was just a benchmark 78.

Huge rise in class.

5. Imperatriz (10)

The champion sprinting mare was attempting to defy history by carrying 58kg in the Newmarket Handicap and while she didn’t quite get the job done, she was incredibly game in defeat.

Nine Group 1 wins and four wins from as many starts at The Valley is evidence she will be incredibly tough to beat yet again especially when considering the swing in weights under these conditions.

6. Bella Nipotina (3)

She’s such a consistent race mare and both starts this prep have been excellent without her winning.

Often times finds one or two better but she is capable of producing a rating good enough to be competitive and even beat the favourite if things pan out and she has an off day.

Loves The Valley, is a Group 1 winner at the track and distance and has never missed the top two from five attempts.

7. I Am Me (2)

The daughter of I Am Invincible has managed nine wins from 18 career starts including four of seven at 1200m.

Was beaten 3.3 lengths to Imperatriz in the Manikato Stakes at this track and distance in the spring and meets that horse at the same weight scale here.

Impressive trial winner leading into this first up assignment and can settle just in behind the leaders from barrier two.

8. Queen Of The Ball (7)

Has been soundly beaten in both starts so far this campaign at a much lower level but will be nearing peak fitness now.

Has a win at this track and distance but would need to improve dramatically to be any chance.

9. Hypothetical (6)

A very progressive five-year-old mare who comes into this race off the back of a placing at Group 1 level in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.

The step up to 1200m suits as does the predicted firm surface.

10. Cylinder (1)

Broke through for his maiden Group 1 victory by beating Imperatriz in the Newmarket Handicap, storming over the top of her late.

It was a classy performance from a colt that continues to get better with age but there will be a 5.5kg weight swing in the mare’s favour for this event.

Considering this I think he is very short in the market against some seasoned sprinters.

11. King’s Gambit (5)

Started favourite in the Oakleigh Plate first up when carrying just 50kg and although he was a touch disappointing he was beaten just over two lengths.

He’ll improve on that run but will need to carry 6kg more at weight-for-age and is dual accepted at Rosehill as well.

Verdict

William Reid Stakes

SELECTIONS

1st: No. 5 Imperatriz
2nd: No. 6 Bella Nipotina
3rd: No. 3 Queman
4th: No. 11 King’s Gambit

Imperatriz

Win

@3/5 - 10 Units

The GOAT.

Ahead of the Game.

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