William Reid Stakes Autumn Night Racing Highlight
Moonee Valley Racing Club, one of Melbourne’s three historic horseracing clubs founded in the 19th Century, has always used innovation to compete against its older rivals, the Victoria Racing Club and Melbourne Racing Club. In 1922, for example, Moonee Valley introduced what would become Australia’s premier weight-for-age race, the WS Cox Plate. Since 1998, Moonee Valley Racecourse has had another unique draw-card setting it apart from Melbourne’s other racetracks: night racing under floodlights.
These are most often Friday night affairs, attracting a festive crowd of punters gearing up for the weekend. However, Wednesday, March 22 is a special occasion in the autumn racing season: the annual running of Moonee Valley’s most prestigious night race, the 1,200m William Reid Stakes. It’s a Group 1 weight-for-age race first run in 1925, and the $500,000 purse attracts some of the top sprinters three years old or older competing in Australia.
As the last feature race of the Melbourne season before the annual racing action shifts to Sydney, with a restricted field of 14 or fewer galloping full-tilt around the tight Moonee Valley turns, the William Reid Stakes has plenty to offer betting enthusiasts. Legendary gelding Manikato is the undisputed king of the race, taking five consecutive wins from 1979 to 1983.
Some Possible William Reid Stakes Options
We will only know the final field and draw for the 2017 William Reid Stakes on race day, so it is too early to hand out any hot tips. The 2016 winner, Flamberge, went on to another profitable season last year, so if the 7-year-old gelding is on the card this year, he’ll see some heavy betting.
However, another horse in the running may be 5-year-old Fell Swoop, another gelding who lost the 2016 Oakleigh Plate by the shortest of noses to Flamberge. He’s also been in peak form over his last few starts, but it remains to be seen what races trainer Matt Dale will be entering him for in autumn.
Favourites have had a good record in the William Reid Stakes over the past few years, so punters may want to keep that in mind as the field is finalised. But as Turffontein proved in 2010 and Foxwedge demonstrated again in 2012, $11.00 outsiders can also deliver a surprise win.
More About Jennie Martin
After completing her degree, Jennie Martin began her journalism career by working as an intern on the entertainment pages. However, her passion for sport was quickly noticed, and she began covering local events.
She now puts her considerable expertise and more than a decades worth of experience to good use, keeping readers up to date on Australian and international sports betting news.
From the latest sporting results to the thrills and spills of the online betting industry, Jennie is the australiansportsbetting.net expert in the field.
You May Also Like:
Marquez To Miss Start Of New MotoGP Season
Multiple MotoGP World Championship title holder Marc Marquez could very well miss the start of the 2021 season following a third operation on his right arm. Marquez has not raced ….
Michael Rutter Awarded Macau Grand Prix Win
Michael Rutter has been given the ninth Macau Grand Prix victory based on a single lap after the event had received two red flags and was ultimately abandoned. Peter Hickman ….
Alvaro Bautista Wins Race Two
In the Portugal World Superbike Championship round, Series champion Jonathan Rea was refused a treble victory as Spanish competitor Alvaro Bautista won race two of the event. Having won the ….
Jonathan Rea Wins Final For World Superbikes
Jonathan Rea has finished the Misano double and advanced to within 16 points of World Superbike leader Alvaro Bautista after winning the final race of the event. The reigning champion ….
Exploring Formula E in Mexico City
Mexico City GP: a Formula E Future? With the Mexico City Grand Prix on March 3, the 2017-18 Formula E series ticks off its fifth race of 12 for the ….