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Moonee Valley Tips

Moonee Valley is one of Australia's key thoroughbred venues, and its track characteristics shape how every meeting is won. Moonee Valley β€” 'The Valley' β€” is the smallest and tightest of Australia's metropolitan circuits, and that intimacy is exactly its charm.

Our selections follow the same process at every track: recent form against today's class, suitability to the distance and surface, the barrier draw relative to this course's prevailing pattern, and market support. Each best bet below carries the top available price β€” compare before you commit.

Moonee Valley is not racing today β€” see today's tips for all current meetings.

About Moonee Valley

The Valley is the home of the Cox Plate, weight-for-age championship of Australasia, and its famous night meetings under lights have made Friday-night racing a Melbourne institution. Inside barriers are gold here, and trainers often target specialists β€” horses who handle the tight turning circuit and short straight. A complete redevelopment of the course is planned, so enjoy the old amphitheatre while it stands.

Full Moonee Valley track guide

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Moonee Valley tips β€” common questions

Why is Moonee Valley so hard for backmarkers?

The Valley has the shortest home straight of any Australian metro track at just 173 metres after a tight turn. Horses more than a few lengths off the lead at the top of the straight rarely have room to wind up, which is why on-pace runners dominate the statistics.

When is the Cox Plate held at Moonee Valley?

The Cox Plate is run over 2040 metres at weight-for-age on a Saturday night in late October during Melbourne's spring carnival, under lights at The Valley.

Do inside barriers matter at Moonee Valley?

More than at any other metro track. With the short straight and tight turns, barriers 1–4 are a significant statistical advantage, especially in fields of 10 or more.