‘Confident’ Estriella the clear favourite for Group 1 Moir Stakes at The Valley on Saturday

A blistering trial win at Cranbourne was an indication to trainer Ciaron Maher that a more confident Estriella can justify The Everest discussions by winning Saturday’s Moir Stakes at The Valley.

Blake Shinn aboard classy mare Estriella at last Monday’s Cranbourne trials. Picture: Getty Images

Confidence could be everything for Estriella for her latest crack at a Group 1 win in Saturday’s Moir Stakes at The Valley.

Estriella has earned more than $1.1m with four wins from only eight starts but trainer Ciaron Maher said a different version of the sprinter had emerged as a four-year-old.

The mare won two rich sprints down the Flemington straight in March before finishing fifth in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville in April.

Maher said Estriella was a nervous type as a three-year-old filly but her trial win at Cranbourne last Monday showed she was a much more mature racehorse.

Estriella flying! Almost breaks the track record, easily winning the Sunlight Classic 🚀

🎥 @7HorseRacing#AustralianCuppic.twitter.com/QmvuBPtqeD

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) March 30, 2024

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Estriella’s Cranbourne trial win was one reason TAB posted the speedster as the $3 favourite in its ‘all-in’ Moir Stakes market.

“She’s always been a little immature mentally and physically, she’s still maturing as well, but she’s grown up a lot,” Maher said.

“She’s developed. At the trials, she got around like a confident horse.

“Even though she was going quick, she was controlled and looked like a very confident horse that has made that step.”

Estriella won two rich Flemington sprints with jockey Blake Shinn aboard in the autumn. Picture: Racing Photos

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Maher said Estriella had been trained at the stable’s beach and country stables south of Melbourne because of her immaturity.

However, he said racing on big Flemington race days and a trip to Adelaide helped Estriella’s development.

“She’s always had that sort of quality,” Maher said.

“When she comes to the track or races, they are bigger days for her.

“But last prep, was sort of a coming out campaign.

“It didn’t surprise me that when she went to Adelaide that it was a risk for her mentally but she still acquitted herself really well.”

Estriella wins $1.2 Million as a Inglis Pink Bonus winner, after taking out the Inglis Sprint.

📽@7HorseRacing#RacingSpectacular#AusGuineaspic.twitter.com/Z2SXdIjaKn

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) March 2, 2024

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A strong performance in Saturday’s Moir Stakes, which will be run three weeks earlier than in previous years, could increase Estriella’s chances of a start in the $20 million The Everest in Sydney.

Maher said there had been contact with some slot-holders in Australia’s richest race but he would not look beyond the Moir Stakes at this stage of Estriella’s campaign.

“There is conversations (about The Everest) so we’re looking forward to the Moir and hope she can acquit herself well,” Maher said.

“We haven’t worked out the path after the Moir to see how we get there so we’ll see how we go.

“It would be a natural progression if she ran in (the Manikato Stakes).

“But the idea is to run well in the Moir then look at The Everest.”

Blake Shinn will regain the ride on Estriella in the Moir Stakes.

Shinn won the $1m Inglis Sprint (1200m) and $500,000 Sunlight Classic (1100m) in the autumn.

Originally published as ‘Confident’ Estriella the clear favourite for Group 1 Moir Stakes at The Valley on Saturday