Moonee Valley could well ignite on Friday as nine of the quickest horses in the land burn the turf in the Manikato Stakes over 1200M, one of only two Group One races held under lights in Australia.

Manikato was a champion sprinter in the late 70s-early 80s, winning this race in 1979 and 1982 when it was known as the Freeway Stakes. Manikato was dominant at Moonee Valley: as well as his Freeway Stakes victories he claimed an incredible five straight wins in the William Reid Stakes. Manikato was sadly euthanised following a serious virus at the end of his racing career; however, he is buried within sight of the winning post at the Valley, ensuring his legacy will forever live on.

The Bill Stutt Stakes for 3YOs over the mile always provides a strong form pointer towards the Caulfield Guineas with star galloper Whobegotyou completing the double as recently as 2008. The recent honour roll is a who's who of Australian stars including; Weekend Hussler, Viscount and Champion Sire Encosta De Lago.

The support card is solid with crowd favourite, Alcopop, attempting for back-to-back wins in the J.R.A Stakes over 2040M and a terrific battle looming amongst the fillies over the 1200M in the aptly named Champagne Stakes.

On the back of a good day at Caulfield last week, let's hope we can snag a few winners and sit back, relax and enjoy the Grad Final on Saturday with overflowing pockets.

Hay List ($1.90) is a very imposing horse and has come on in leaps and bounds since his first-up demolition job in the McEwen Stakes three weeks ago, a scary thought for his opposition. He is the most exciting sprinting commodity in Australia, boasting ten wins from just twelve starts, many in a very dominant fashion.

From the inside draw I fancy jockey, Glyn Schofield, will be taking the gelding straight to the front to avoid any potential trouble, and will look to break their hearts coming around the final bend. The odds on offer are probably a little bit skinny, but I would expect 5/4 or better come tomorrow night, which would be a very backable price.

The danger, if there is any, might be an excess of early pressure. Reward For Effort, Bank Robber (first up for Mark Kavanagh), Love Conquers All and True Persuasion are all capable of pushing forward early which will ensure the race is run at a solid tempo. If, and it is a big if, there were to be an upset I would be looking to Eagle Falls ($12) who flies first up and loves scooting around the tight turning Moonee Valley circuit. Unbeaten at the track, Eagle Falls is a high quality sprinter returning from an international campaign in Dubai and Singapore.

The Statute of Liberty Stutt Stakes is an incredibly open field with Censor ($5.50) heading the market in a race with a host of chances.

Bullbars ($6.50) has put in two eye-catching runs this preparation, the first at Moonee Valley before heading to Flemington and hitting the line with gusto. The 1600M looks ideal and there appears to be enough speed in the race to give backmarkers every chance.

Recent black booker, Servant ($6) was forced to race wide and suffered interference late in his most recent fifth at Moonee Valley. He poses a danger to the top tip, however, I am concerned that from an awkward draw he may again be forced to do it tough out wide.

The J.R.A Plate (2040M) is a key lead-up to the Caulfield Cup and 2009 boom horse, Alcopop ($16), is out to make it back-to-back wins in the race after a scintillating display last year. Trainer, Jake Stevens, is hoping the pilot, and not the horse, have been responsible for two less than impressive runs this time in, and subsequently Mark Zahra will take over the reins from Dom Tourneur.

Legendary figures, Bart Cummings and Lloyd WIliams put the polish on the key chances in the race, Precedence ($3.60) and Linton ($3.60), who are both on trial for the major Cup races.

Linton put in a brilliant effort first-up at Flemington after doing it tough out wide the entire journey, his condition only giving way over the last 50M to run third. The son of Galileo graduated to a luckless third in the Group 1 Cadbury Guineas in his first campaign, and gives the impression that the 2000M trip and beyond is going to be his bread and butter moving forward. Linton should benefit from a lovely run in transit and when the whips are cracking I expect him to have Precedence's measure, just! Other chances in the race look to be; Above Average (who will peak at 2000M and is better than his first-up run looks), Hastien (over from South Australia with the powerful Mark Kavanagh stable) and Right Fong (who will get back and hit the line hard).

The night rounds out with a cracking race for the girls over 1200M, headed by three northern state visitors who have a stranglehold on the market; Solar Charged ($2.80), Military Rose ($3.30) and Chance Bye ($6). Ironically, it is these three visitors who should ensure a strong tempo in the race, giving those back in the pack every chance to win.

The Robbie Griffiths-trained Spurcific ($41), incredibly still a maiden, was an enormous effort her most recent Flemington outing and look capable of upsetting the apple cart. She is a horse stacked with ability, who hasn't always had the best of luck, but on her day (or hopefully night) can deliver a knockout blow.

Party Hard ($41) was scratched from Caulfield last Saturday in favour of running tomorrow night. She is sitting in my black book in bold, underlined, italicised text after her brilliant debut effort when absolutely friendless in the ring. She looked magnificent that day, and raced accordingly, and although she might be punching a little above her weight at this stage of her career, she is a must for quaddies.

Randwick will play host to the Group One George Main Stakes (1600M) on Saturday and will see the reappearance of star mare More Joyous ($1.90), who trainer Gai Waterhouse compared to the mighty mare Sunline.

Gai may well have put the cart before the horse drawing that bow, in fact she definitely did, however there is little doubting More Joyous has tremendous ability. Although stepping up to WFA and tackling the more seasoned performers, she looks to have the race at her mercy and with a 2kg weight pull should be strolling to victory on her way to a Cox Plate tilt and matchup with So You Think.

Trainer, Roger Milne, took a safety first approach with his stable star, Captain Sonador ($7) last weekend, scratching the horse over a slight injury concern. However, it seems the Captain is ready for takeoff this weekend and can hopefully stamp himself as a genuine Epsom contender with a strong showing in the Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400M).

The Racing Insider's Play of the Day

Race 1 Shrapnel looks to get everything to suit tomorrow night. Trained by Spring specialist, Mark Kavanagh, this son of Charge Forward was desperately unlucky in the Vain Stakes, a hot form race that included subsequent winners Toorak Toff and Soul. He looks to get a lovely run in transit, smoking the speed, and should have plenty of dash over the final furlong. Currently at $3, he looks a very good betting proposition.

Best Bets

Race 7 Bullbars has done everything right in the lead-up to this race. He has been hitting the line nicely in both runs this campaign and in a very even race looks to have a terrific each way chance, provided the track is playing fairly to backmarkers.

Race 2 Jolie Brise. She looks to benefit from a lovely run in transit just behind the speed and has a fantastic weight pull on With Decorum who will likely start favourite.

Value Bets

Race 4 Save A Penny. They will go like scalded cats in this rare 955M dash for the fillies and mares. Save A Penny has been given a freshen up since completely failing to run the 1200M of the Cockram Stakes and back to the short trip is ideal. Currently double figure odds I think she is worth a small bet on an each way basis.

Sydney Race 6 Captain Sonador. Readers might be sick of this horse appearing in the preview; however, I think he might be something special based on his autumn efforts and brilliant win first-up in Brisbane. He is no stranger to Sydney racetracks and ran a cracking third to Shoot Out in the Randwick Guineas. Currently at $7 he looks a very nice each way bet on Saturday.

All Class, and Should Just Win

Race 6 Hay List and Sydney Race 6 More Joyous. Two up-and-coming stars of the turf facing, arguably, their biggest tests to date. I expect both to come through with flying colours and continue building their picket fences, although I would be wary of jumping into short odds.

The Hail Mary

This weekend I thought both Spurcific and Party Hard, both at $31, were absolutely tremendous value in the last race of the evening.

Quaddie

Leg 1 - Precedence and Linton look a nice quinella here - for value throw in 4,14,13 and maybe 8.

Leg 2 - Hay List one out if you are playing skinny - next best 4,5,18 and 7

Leg 3 - Tough leg with plenty of chances; 6,7,5,1,14 and 9

Leg 4 - Hoping for a big finish - 10,12,4,1,2