Held under lights at Moonee Valley, the William Reid Stakes is a 1200m Group 1, run under WFA conditions. The $1m feature is the last G1 race held on the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival calendar.
First run in 1925, the race has a long and star studded honour roll. One horse in particular stands out, and that’s Manikato. He won this race five years on the trot, from 1979-1983, and now has a G1 race at the Valley named in his honour (Manikato Stakes).
Looking at this year’s race, we see unbeaten, last start Oakleigh Plate winning mare Marabi amongst acceptances. Dabble has her very short in the market, and understandably so, at $1.65. It’s double figures the rest of the field, headed by The Inferno and The Astrologist, both at $13.
However, we know with horse racing that anything can happen and taking $1.65 about Marabi won’t get you too far. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 William Reid Stakes along with The Shark’s best tips.
1. Trekking (4) – $26
Jockey – Damien Oliver 58.5kg
Trainer – James Cummings
Grand old galloper who resumed in the Listed Bob Hoysted HCP under 63kg. His run was only fair on the occasion, but should be improved by the run and better suited up to 1200m at WFA. Although he hasn’t won at The Valley, his form here is good, and from the nice gate should get a good cart into the race. Needs to find some of his old form, which would see him going close in this.
2. Jonker (14) – $19
Jockey – Craig Newitt 58.5kg
Trainer – Tony Gollan
Jonker enjoying a wash after gallops @TheValley ahead of Group 1 William Reid Stakes 🏆 pic.twitter.com/zqwh4EcVKx
— Vince Caligiuri (@Vinnycenzo_71) March 23, 2022
Had excuses first up in the G1 Oakleigh Plate, where he finished last. Has since jumped out well, and will be looking to improve on a track where he is a G1 winner. Drawn an outside gate, which may force Newitt to try and cross them early. The first furlong will be key as to how he finishes off his last one.
3. The Inferno (7) – $13 – Scratched
Jockey – Mark Zahra 58.5kg
Trainer – Cliff Brown
Resumed in the G1 Lightning Stakes behind Home Affairs, where he copped some bad interference and nearly fell. His second up record reads 4:4-0-0 and he is a G2 winner here at The Valley. His only other run here resulted in a close 2nd in the G1 Moir Stakes. Drawn nicely and looks a big danger to the favourite at good odds.
4. Kemalpasa (12) – $15
Jockey – Jake Toeroek 58.5kg
Trainer – Richard & Chantelle Jolly
Resumed in fine style at Morphettville defeating Behemoth in good time. He then had a minor hiccup which forced him out of the G1 Newmarket. Had a trial last week and had a good hitout to prepare him for this. Draw makes things tricky, but he’s honest as the day is long, and will no doubt be in the finish.
5. The Astrologist (1) – $13
Jockey – Fred Kersley 58.5kg
Trainer – Leon & Troy Corstens
Ran a big race last start in the G1 Newmarket behind Roch ‘N’ Horse at huge odds. Not sure the form out of that race will stand up, after the tactics employed by the jockeys saw the inside lanes dominate the race. Nonetheless his run was good, and from the inside gate can figure in the finish again.
6. Halvorsen (15) – $81
Jockey – Andrew Mallyon 58.5kg
Trainer – Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock
In form gelding who was good against the bias last start in the G1 Newmarket. Although known as a Flemington straight track specialist, he’s had one go here at The Valley and graced the winners stall. Does have to deal with the outside gate, but will be ridden cold and saved for one crack at them late. Not the worst.
7. Standout (3) – $26
Jockey – Brenton Avdulla 58.5kg
Trainer – Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou
Improved run last start with the blinkers on, when he finished 3rd to Lost and Running in G3 company. Drawn well here and will get a dry track which he excels on. Capable of winning a race like this, but hasn’t been seen in the winners stall for over two years now.
8. September Run (11) – $17
Jockey – Craig Williams 56.5kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Solid effort last start when finishing 3rd in a controversial G1 Newmarket. As mentioned above, not sure the form out of that race will stand up and be consistent, but her run showed glimpses of old. Finished 4th in this race last year, and with a solid tempo up front, will be looking for a similar result again this year.
9. Marabi (8) – $1.65F
Jockey – Ben Allen 56.5kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Marabi headlines the nominations for Friday night’s William Reid Stakes. #AfterTheLast pic.twitter.com/rVKvwmwDSY
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 21, 2022
Unbeaten mare who was simply too fast for her rivals last start in the G1 Oakleigh Plate. Prior to that won with a leg in the air, in the G2 Australia Stakes, here at The Valley. Hard to knock her on what she’s done, and looks very hard to beat again here.
10. Electric Girl (10) – $101
Jockey – Jye McNeil 56.5kg
Trainer – Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes
Has resumed this prep with a couple of nice runs at G3 level. Comes back from 1400m to 1200m here, and steps up to G1 WFA. May find a few of these a bit nippy.
11. General Beau (6) – $26
Jockey – Damien Thornton 56kg
Trainer – Matthew Ellerton
Got to the line nicely last start in the Listed Moomba Stakes, carrying the grandstand. Prior to that he ran well in the G1 Oakleigh Plate. Untried around The Valley, but draws well and gets 5kg off his back here. Each way hope at good odds.
12. Generation (2) – $16
Jockey – Jamie Kah 56kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Consistent colt who was good first up winning the G3 Manfred Stakes. Let the leader get away last start in the G3 Zeditave Stakes, but he was strong to the line. Steps up to G1 WFA now, which is his biggest test to date, but hasn’t put a foot wrong in his own age group. Respect.
13. Marine One (13) – $26 – Scratched
Jockey – John Allen 56kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Improving colt who was far too good last start in the G2 Rubiton Stakes. Prior to that he ran into a smart one. Is one for one around The Valley, but the barrier makes things hard and is yet to win past 1100m. Like his stablemate Generation, this will be his biggest test to date, but is capable of running a bold race.
14. Zouzarella (9) – $61
Jockey – Brett Prebble 54kg
Trainer – Anthony & Sam Freedman
Returns to Melbourne, after a couple of runs in 3YO fillies races in Sydney. Was good first up in the G2 Surround Stakes, before being bogged down on a very heavy track last start. Is unbeaten around The Valley, and gets back on a dry deck here. Will need to find a bit on her runs this prep, but is capable of running well.
Final fields & barriers for the season finale of @ladbrokescomau Friday Night Lights at @TheValley have been released.
The night meeting is highlighted by the $1 million Group 1 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes, the Group 2 BMD Group Sunline Stakes & plenty more!
View here ⬇
— Racing Victoria (@RacingVictoria) March 23, 2022
15e. Snapper (5) – $41
Jockey – Jordan Childs 58.5kg
Trainer – Michael Moroney
Brained them last start in a BM70 this track/distance in good time. Big step up to G1 WFA here, but grows a leg around The Valley. Stable flying.
Final Word
This year’s William Reid Stakes looks a race dominated by unbeaten mare Marabi. She’s shooting for 8 wins in a row here, and looking at the form, it looks well within her reach.
In saying that, the race looks as though it’ll be run at a solid tempo, which may suit some of the back markers and expose some value in the market.
Ex-Singapore galloper The Inferno was luckless first up in the G1 Lightning Stakes, and has a brilliant second up record. His form around The Valley is good, and he looks overs here.
Another one at big odds is 3YO colt General Beau. He was good last start under the big weight, and draws to get a nice run in this. On his best form, he’s more than capable in a race like this.
With Marabi at such a short quote, these two gallopers look good value, and can easily finish in the money. I’d suggest a place bet on both, and maybe play the multiples with the favourite.
Best William Reid Stakes Tip: 3. The Inferno – Place ($3.40) & 11. General Beau – Place ($5.00) *The Inferno has since been scratched.*
Next Best: Boxed Quinella – 3, 9, 11
William Reid Stakes numbers: 9-11-3-7
If you need more news, information and tips, head over to our William Reid Stakes page for all your punting needs!
*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.
