Racing
Ladbrokes Blog: Cranbourne Preview – 27th December 2025
Southside Cranbourne welcomes Moonee Valley for Saturday's meeting, closing out the year under fine conditions.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
With the rail in the true position, runners should get every chance in what profiles as an evenly balanced and competitive program.
Read on for my race-by-race Cranbourne tips and best bets to help you finish the year on a winning note.
Race 1 – The Valley @ Southside Cranbourne Handicap (1600 METRES)
No. 6 I Only Wish
I ONLY WISH (6) was unlucky not to challenge for the win last start over this distance at Pakenham.
The Robbie Griffiths-trained mare enjoyed a nice run until she was shuffled back on the turn and then was held up in the straight, but to her credit she hit the line hard once clear to finish just under a length second to Jenni Gone Bonkers.
She was five weeks between runs so will strip a lot fitter.
Thanks to Logan Bates' claim, she'll carry the same weight as last start despite this being an easier race.
Selections: 6-1-2-3
Bet Now: Cranbourne Race 1
Race 2 – Big Swing Golf Handicap (1500 METRES)
No. 15 Watersports
WATERSPORTS (15) doesn't win out of turn but never runs a bad race and gets her chance at another win here.
The Archie Alexander-trained mare was stiff not to win first-up at Seymour when held up and finishing a head second.
She was very good in this class last start over 1400m on the Lakeside track when charging home through the ruck to finish just over a half-length third.
She'll strip fitter third-up and draws to get a great run for Craig Williams.
Selections: 15-6-5-11
Bet Now: Cranbourne Race 2
Race 3 – Solo Energy Handicap (1200 METRES)
No. 12 Mercurial Lady
MERCURIAL LADY (12) will appreciate dropping back to 1200m after tiring in the final furlong over 1400m at Pakenham after looming as the winner.
The Moody & Coleman-trained mare was unlucky two starts ago when racing three and four deep the trip but still boxing on well to finish just under a length fourth at Caulfield Heath.
She won over this distance at Sale and in this class just three starts ago.
Luke Nolen can make the most of the low draw and race in a prominent position.
Selections: 12-13-7-3
Bet Now: Cranbourne Race 3
Race 4 – Clamms Seafood Handicap (1000 METRES)
No. 1 Guest House
GUEST HOUSE (1) looks ready for his debut following four trials and jump outs across two preparations.
The Price & Kent Jnr-trained colt has been particularly good this time in work, winning both his pieces of work after sitting wide throughout.
In his first trial this preparation, he easily defeated Milsons Point who was a subsequent winner at Pakenham two weeks ago.
He's drawn well for Jamie Melham so should get every chance.
Selections: 1-3-10-8
Bet Now: Cranbourne Race 4
Race 5 – Drummond Golf VOBIS Gold Carat (1200 METRES)
No. 2 Harry's Yacht
HARRY'S YACHT (2) was magnificent when resuming two starts ago at Bendigo with a 1.75 length victory.
The Harry Angel gelding unfortunately didn't have the best of luck last start over 1200m at Ballarat when held up badly on the fence and not getting out until late to finish three-quarters of a length second to Steel Move.
He's since been back to the jump outs which will have tuned him up nicely third-up.
The set weight conditions of the race see him at an advantage to his rivals.
Selections: 2-3-7-8
Bet Now: Cranbourne Race 5
Race 6 – Ladbrokes Top 2/3/4 Betting Handicap (1400 METRES)
No. 3 Millennium Blade
MILLENNIUM BLADE (3) placed in all three of his first preparation races at Caulfield and Flemington and boasts a neck second to subsequent Group 2 winner Salty Pearl.
The Price & Kent Jnr-trained son of Too Darn Hot resumed last start at Kyneton as a gelding and the procedure worked a treat.
He settled just off the speed before letting down powerfully to win.
The rise in distance suits and Craig Williams should give him a beautiful run from the low draw.
Selections: 3-2-4-1
Bet Now: Cranbourne Race 6
Race 7 – Pepsi Max Handicap (2025 METRES)
No. 1 Saint George
SAINT GEORGE (1) spent nearly a year in the paddock before returning as a gelding in the Listed Seymour Cup where he stormed home to finish a neck second.
The Ciaron Maher-trained ghostly grey stepped up to 1800m two starts ago on Melbourne Cup Day where he fought bravely but just couldn't get past Kingswood, and finished a neck second.
Unfortunately, the outside barrier last start in the Ballarat Cup brought about his undoing as he was forced to work hard to sit outside the lead and ultimately weakened in the final furlong.
The inside barrier should see him enjoy an economic run.
Selections: 1-4-2-7
Bet Now: Cranbourne Race 7
Race 8 – Gatorade Handicap (2025 METRES)
No. 3 Suntora
SUNTORA (3) has hit form and is looking for her third win in a row.
The Nick Ryan-trained mare let down with gusto two starts back over 1800m at Caulfield Heath to brain her rivals by 4.25 lengths.
She stepped up to this distance in a stronger race at Pakenham last start and was last to enter the straight before producing a dazzling turn of hoof to storm home and win by a length with third a further two lengths away.
Ryan Houston, who claims 2kg, is undefeated aboard her and will give her every chance from an inside barrier.
Selections: 3-11-10-9
Bet Now: Cranbourne Race 8
Race 9 – Bottle Stop Handicap (1200 METRES)
No. 5 Recon
RECON (5) is racing in a purple patch of form with three wins on the trot.
Following wins at Mornington and Moe, the Carey & Walker-trained gelding stepped up to this class last start on Pakenham Cup Day.
Despite the inside going not being the place to be, he stormed home along the fence to win by 1.25 lengths with third a further two lengths away.
Patrick Maloney, who is undefeated aboard him, can stalk the speed from the good draw.
Selections: 5-9-3-10
Bet Now: Cranbourne Race 9
Race 10 – Ladbrokes SRM in Multis Handicap (1600 METRES)
No. 10 Madiyya
MADIYYA (10) looks set to peak third-up following two very good runs to start this preparation.
The Team Hayes-trained mare produced an eye-catching performance first-up here before stepping up to this distance last start at Pakenham where she found the line powerfully to finish 1.75 lengths third.
She jumped from 1300m so will have come along nicely and she won her only previous third-up race.
There looks to be an abundance of speed in the race which should play into her's and Craig Williams' hands.
Selections: 10-5-1-11
