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Moonee Valley Racing Tips for October 25- Observer to make amends, while a roughie can salute early on Cox Plate day

Adam Cusworth

Editor

Last updated: 22 Oct 2025

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Adam Cusworth 22 Oct 2025

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Philosopher is the 'Best Value' pick in Race 1, expected to perform well.
Race 2’s Napoleonic enters with strong form; watch for John O'Shea's colt.
Via Sistina aims for another Cox Plate win in Race 10, promising peak form.

Expired

Via Sistina will be out to join the greats as a two-timw Cox Plate winner (Getty Images)

Moonee Valley racing takes place on Saturday, October 25, with a 10-race program set down for Moonee Valley racetrack.

Race 1 No.6- Philosopher (Best Value)
Race 2 No.2- Napoleonic
Race 9 No.1- Observer (Best Bet)
Race 10 No.6 Via Sistina

We have the best bets picked from across the Cox Plate meeting with a Best Bet and other value selections for Moonee Valley racetrack.

Race 1 No.6- Philosopher (Best Value)

Best Value comes up early and it is Philosopher that can go close in the opener on Cox Plate day. The six-year-old is on the short back-up after placing 6th at Group 2 level over the 1000m behind Rey Magnerio last weekend at Caulfield and drops in grade. He comes into this third up and was a track and trip winner off a one-week break when third up previously, while he had a stack of excuses when resuming over the 955m here at the Manikato Stakes meeting before his run last weekend. The Enver Jusufovic-trained galloper draws the inside barrier and might be able to tuck leaders back early on. If the gaps open at the right time, he can cause a minor upset.

Race 2 No.2- Napoleonic

Keen on the Sydney colt, Napoleonic, in Race 2. The John O’Shea-trained galloper won the first two starts of his current preparation before being tried at Group 2 level in the Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) and sticking on well for 4th behind Hidden Motive. The Roman Consul has produced a stack of big names in the past, including Switzerland last year, as well as Exosphere, Zoustar, Buffering…the list goes on and on. We are yet to see how the form from this year’ crop will play out but he comes in with some superior figures, while he gets the ride from James McDonald, who could be set for a big afternoon.

Race 9 No.1- Observer (Best Bet)

Observer is a clear top pick in the Vase for the three-year-olds. The Godolphin galloper was the hard-luck story out of the Caulfield Guineas (1600m), settling handy on a hot tempo and looking to have a stack to offer in the last couple of hundred metres but with no daylight available. The highly promising galloper had to settle for 3rd behind Autumn Boy. He draws barrier 9 for this assignment and is likely to slide across and potentially take up the running, depending on how the track is playing late in the day. Step to the 2040m looks like it will be right up his alley.

Race 10 No.6 Via Sistina

Via Sistina is the one they all have to beat again. The defending Cox Plate champion was enormous in the Turnbull Stakes last start, working home strongly off a slow tempo to clock a figure only a touch below what she produced in the same lead-up 12 months ago before bolting in here. She thrives on racing fourth-up, and every sign from her sectionals and mannerisms says she’s ready to peak right on grand final day. James McDonald knows her inside out, and from barrier 5 she’s guaranteed the perfect stalking run — just like last year. If she sees clear air from the 400m, the rest may be running for second again.

Verdict

Moonee Valley- October 25

Moonee Valley Racing Tips for Cox Plate day

Philosopher

Race 1 Winner

@18/1 - 1 Unit

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Napoleonic

Race 2 Winner

@2/1 - 1 Unit

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Observer

Race 9 Winner

@20/21 - 1 Unit