Feature racing kicks off early this week, and the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes headlines an exciting program at The Valley on Friday night!
Eight races are on the program, and I’ve provided my thoughts on each below in my 2022 Alister Clark Stakes Night Tips.
Zamborghini has made only one appearance at the races so far, but he couldn’t have been much more impressive on debut, and he can record another win at The Valley on Friday.
The Zoustar colt showed ability at the trials prior to debuting, and he greeted the judge more than six lengths in the clear at Ballarat last month.
He’ll only improve for that experience and will take a power of beating again.
Morioka hasn’t been seen at the races since November, but she returned some excellent performances last time, and she can make a winning return at The Valley on Friday.
The Maurice filly was a dominant winner over 1000m at her last appearance, but she found form around some good horses prior to that, and wasn’t disgraced in black type company.
With even luck, I think that this will prove a lovely launchpad for her.
Eaglemont takes winning form into the third on Alister Clark Stakes Night, and he can continue his rise through the grades.
The Camelot gelding was a consistent performer last time in, and completed an ideal return at Ballarat last month; hitting the line easily ahead of his rivals.
With any improvement at all, he’ll take a power of beating again.
Captain Corelli takes his place in this contest third-up and ready to peak.
The Mick Price & Mick Kent Jnr-trained gelding returned a nice fresh effort to finish third, beaten only a length here at The Valley, and he was luckless in a decent race at Pakenham last time.
Getting out to the Cox Plate trip at this point of his prep looks ideal, and he’s drawn to receive a lovely run under Mark Zahra.
Tycoon Humma’s return to the races was very pleasing, and I am confident that she can go on with the job at a nice price in this week’s 55 Second Challenge Heat.
The Capitalist filly stamped herself as a filly to follow when debuting for consecutive wins, including the Listed Festival Stakes in February last year, but she went amiss during his spring prep.
Tycoon Humma mustered a lovely turn of foot to strike at the midweeks at Sandown last month, and she’ll take plenty of improvement into this contest.
This is a strong edition of the Abell Stakes and there is a case to be made for several gallopers, including Superium.
Superium has proven to be a bit of a costly horse for punters in recent season, but I’ve been quite impressed with him improvement this time in, and he takes his place in this contest following a smart third placing behind Bermadez at Flemington.
He’s rock-hard fit, and he’s another whom we can have something on each-way at around the $10 mark.
The Alister Clark Stakes always tosses up a couple of genuine Derby/Oaks types, and a classy field will step out at The Valley on Friday night.
I’ve become quite a fan of El Patroness, and she is the one that I want to be with.
El Patroness was excellent during her recent spring prep, winning the Listed Super Impose Stakes and only just missing in the Neds Classic, most notably.
She has filled the minors in two starts back this time, including a nice effort under Jamie Kah in the Autumn Classic last time out, and she looks beautifully placed to peak this week.
Rockribbed can win the last on Alister Clark Night.
The Night Of Thunder gelding raced well early in his debut prep and was sent to the paddock after failing to handle the heavy going at Bendigo in September.
His first-up run this time was easily the best performance of his career to date, and any improvement would see him hard to beat again.