Ten horses will step out in this evening’s William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley and we are set for another exciting edition of the Group 1 sprint feature.
Secret Agenda appears to have returned to racing in typically slick form this time and the Group 1-winning mare is currently the $5 William Reid Stakes favourite in our lucrative Fat Odds market.
Secret Agenda has been a strong and consistent performer for Mick Price throughout her entire racing career so far, but clearly stepped up in class and ability during the 2017 autumn when she won the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) second-up before posting a maiden win at the highest level in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m).
Having flown home down the straight at Flemington to win the Listed Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m) first-up this time, the daughter of Not A Single Doubt will be ridden by regular hoop Damien Olive this evening.
There is a case to be made for nearly every horse in the William Reid Stakes field and subsequently, there is plenty of value to be taken from a betting perspective.
Two horses that are worth consideration at current odds at 2017 William Reid Stakes runner-up Hellbent ($8) and consistent sprinter Supido ($11).
Hellbent has steadily built to the task this time and looks set to peak third-up in the William Reid and perhaps most importantly, is a proven performer on the unique conditions at Moonee Valley.
The I Am Invincible entire was fair to the line when fifth in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) first-up on February 10th, before flying home from the tail of the field to finish a close third in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on February 24th.
The horse will likely go back regardless, so barrier 10 isn’t a concern and he’ll be ridden by leading hoop Craig Williams.
Supido trialled extremely well in the lead-up to his Autumn Carnival campaign and resumed for a strong third in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) on February 17th.
Having run on well to finish fifth in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) last time out on March 10th, the son of Sebring will enjoy a return to racing with a turn and will prove extremely difficult to hold out.
Three-year-olds Pariah ($9.50), She Will Reign ($8) and Catchy ($18) are all more than capable at the grade and could each prove to be over the odds.
Pariah is yet to taste anything but success first-up and will look to take a position just behind the early pace before calling on his big turn of foot in the straight.
She Will Reign is a two-time Group 1 winner and flew home to win the Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley in spring. The daughter of Manhattan Rain failed to fire in the Oakleigh Plate, but won the Inglis Sprint (1000m) with ease first-up.
Catchy has yet to fire a shot through two starts this time and while she is a Group 1 winner at the distance of this race, she’d need to improve drastically to win.
Pariah has not been seen at the races this year, but the fact that Team Snowden are electing to launch his campaign here suggests he is extremely forward and he absolutely flies fresh. I’ll be back Pariah each-way, from Supido and Hellbent.
2018 William Reid Stakes Tips:
- 1st – Pariah ($9)
- 2nd – Supido ($11)
- 3rd – Hellbent ($8)