The Valley gallop primes Uncommon James for Group 1 Moir Stakes test

Uncommon James is already a Group 1 winner in Melbourne but the Queensland sprinter might face a tougher test against a Kiwi star in Friday night’s Group 1 Moir Stakes at The Valley.

Damian Lane rode Moir Stakes contender Uncommon James while Billy Egan rode Appin Girl in a track gallop at The Valley on Monday morning. Picture: Getty Images.

A look at The Valley on Monday was crucial to the tough task facing Queenslander Uncommon James in Friday night’s Group 1 Moir Stakes.

Uncommon James won the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on the spacious Sandown circuit in February but has not raced on the unique circuit at The Valley.

Uncommon James will give away experience on the track to top Kiwi mare Imperatriz, who blew away a smart field when she resumed at The Valley in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes.

The five-year-old worked over 800m on Monday morning with race jockey Damian Lane in the saddle, covering the distance in 52.61 seconds, running his last 400m in 23.98s.

“We thought we’d give him a chance to have a look at the track and Damian felt he took to it really well,” said Hoysted, who trains Uncommon James in partnership with Steven O’Dea.

“He was nice and sharp right to the line and had a little blow after it so it should have him right when he needs to be for Friday.”

Hear from co-trainer Matt Hoysted about his star sprinter Uncommon James ahead of his assignment in the Group 1 Moir Stakes on Friday night 👇 pic.twitter.com/SEGVjq8g4O

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Uncommon James has been in Melbourne long enough to have had a jumpout at Kilmore on September 15 in which the son of Cable Bay was far too quick for his rivals.

Hoysted said the trip to the provincial track and the fitness gained from the jumpout were exactly what was required to prime Uncommon James to return to racing in the Moir Stakes.

“He was nice and impressive in that jumpout at Kilmore,” Hoysted said.

“There wasn’t much opposition against him but he couldn’t do much more than what he did and he’s pulled up really well on the back of that.”

Imperatriz has opened as the $1.90 favourite in TAB’s ‘all-in’ market on the Moir Stakes.

Hoysted said Imperatriz’s rivals hoped she would not show her blistering acceleration at her second successive start over 1000m.

“She was ultra-impressive and we just hope she’s not as explosive second-up,” Hoysted said.

“She’ll be mighty hard to beat if she is but we can only worry about our horse in the nice solid tempo over the 1000(m).”

First-up winner Asfoora is the $5 second favourite in early Moir Stakes betting ahead of Uncommon James, who is one of four sprinters on the fourth line of the market at $8.

Originally published as The Valley gallop primes Uncommon James for Group 1 Moir Stakes test