Money Market is Sunday’s value bet

SUNDAY’s Linval McFarlane Trophy presents a real challenge for form players, a five-furlong straight event for which horses have tumbled from as high as grade one to overnight allowance.

RHYTHM BUZZ, one of the most improved horses in training last season, makes his 2025 debut in the Linval McFarlane, last seen six lengths off leaders PACK PLAYS and LEGACY ISE midway last December’s Mouttet Mile.

Though returning off a four-month break, RHYTHM BUZZ cannot be underestimated, having started a run of four consecutive victories at the overnight-allowance level last January, ending with an open-allowance win against none other than subsequent Mouttet Mile winner, FUNCAANDUN, at nine furlongs and 25 yards in June.

Having won from five furlongs straight to route trips, RHYTHM BUZZ’s versatility is unquestionable, making him a most dangerous contender, considering that he appears to be in good shape at exercise, clocking 1:00.0 from the gate.

Another down-in-class sniper is last year’s Oaks winner, BANADURA, who, similar to RHYTHM BUZZ, is a Mouttet Mile graduate. BANADURA was even closer to the leaders a half-mile out, fading after forcing the early fractions for stablemate and winner FUNCAANDUN.

Though drawn at post-position one, BANADURA reports pretty light at 115lb, a weight that could get her to mid-track quickly. Her speed could be lethal should she be allowed to settle and change gears entering the main track.

At the opposite end of the draw, BULLETPROOFCOFFEE, SHE’S THAT GIRL, MONEY MARKET, and CHOCOMO have speed and the track bias in their favour.

From that lot, Gary Subratie’s MONEY MARKET catches the eye at post-position 11. MONEY MARKET, who was second in the Bruceontheloose behind ATLANTIC CONVOY on Mouttet Mile Day, returned to place fifth behind BOOTYLICIOUS, DESERT OF MALIBU, and PACK PLAYS at five and a half furlongs.

Though finishing down the track in his last race, the Eileen Cliggott Memorial at six and a half furlongs, MONEY MARKET had mended rapidly coming off the home turn, almost two lengths behind stablemate ATOMICA, before space closed along the rail, and he was eased by Dick Cardenas.

MONEY MARKET could very well be the value bet of the day for punters.