Australia: Snapper's speed gives him edge in Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley

A recent win in a Group 3 sprint at six furlongs and a consistent style of racing near the front give Snapper an excellent chance to win for the third time in his last four starts in the Group 2 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, on Friday evening.

Snapper seems to like Moonee Valley, which has short stretch of slightly less than a furlong. Snapper has won 4 of 7 starts at Moonee Valley and 6 of 22 starts in his career.

Trained by Michael Moroney, Snapper led throughout the Group 3 Standish Stakes at six furlongs on a straightaway course at Flemington on Jan. 14. The forward tactics allow Snapper to avoid trouble that can plague closers at Moonee Valley.

:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing

The $251,000 Australia Stakes drew a field of seven, including the 4-year-old gelding Jigsaw, a winner of 7 of 18 starts. Jigsaw starts in a group stakes for the first time since October 2021 on the strength of wins in two consecutive listed stakes in his latest appearances – the Doveton Stakes at five furlongs at Caulfield Racecourse on Nov. 26 and the Christmas Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs at Sandown Racecourse on Dec. 26. In both races, Jigsaw disputed the pace.

The Australia Stakes is the first start in three months for the 6-year-old mare Turaath, who won the Black Pearl Stakes at six furlongs at Geelong Racecourse on Oct. 19, but was last of 11 in her most recent start in the Group 2 Linlithgow Stakes at seven furlongs at Flemington 10 days later. She faded from contention in the final furlong.

Turaath is a threat from off the pace in the Australia Stakes, provided she can handle the short stretch.

Moonee Valley has a nine-race program beginning at 9:15 p.m. Eastern or 6:15 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.