Jockey Blake Shinn to adopt catch-me-if-can tactics aboard Estriella in Group 1 Moir Stakes

Jockey Blake Shinn was undeterred by a wide draw for Group 1 Moir Stakes favourite Estriella, saying it would take an “exceptional” effort for any horse to run her down on Saturday.

Champion jockey Blake Shinn will take luck out of the equation and control the Group 1 Moir Stakes on Saturday at The Valley aboard electric mare Estriella.

The top class sprinter-in-waiting Estriella, trained by Ciaron Maher, has drawn barrier eight of nine in a crack field which includes multiple Group 1 winner and The Everest runner-up I Wish I Win (barrier five).

Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot (two) drew perfectly, while Slipper runner-up Coleman drew barrier six. Blue Diamond Stakes champ Hayasugi, to be ridden by Jamie Kah, drew barrier seven.

• ‘She’s made that step’: Moir kicks off The Everest climb for Estriella v2.0

“Anywhere from 1000m to 1100m is right up her alley, she’s a very fast horse, naturally quick, this is a race I believe she will take control right from the start,” Shinn said.

“There’s going to be some great sprinters chasing her, I Wish I Win out of the pack but they’re going to have to run sub 22 (seconds last 400m) to catch her.

“I don’t think Estriella will be weakening the last 400m, she’ll be maintaining her gallop so it’s going to take an exceptional run from any horse to run her down.”

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

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

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

Estriella put a stake in the ground as Group 1 sprinter-in-waiting with a sharp trial last month.

“She had a quiet first trial (finished third) and last trial we opened the shoulders a little bit on her, gave her a nice solid trial, the foundation that she needed to run first-up in the Moir,” Shinn said.

“It’s going to be a solid 1000m test here at The Valley… she’s set up ready to go here Saturday.

“The thing about her is she can run really quick sectionals, 10.5 (second 200m), 10.4 and do it within herself but have that ability to quicken off that.”

ESTRIELLA FOR THE EVEREST?

A blistering trial win at Cranbourne was an indication to trainer @cmaherracing that a more confident Estriella can justify The Everest discussions by winning Saturday’s Moir Stakes at The Valley. 👇https://t.co/cX1udJtrGW

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) September 1, 2024

Estriella has won four of eight starts including the Group 3 Kevin Hayes (1100m) and Listed Sunlight Classic (1100m), she placed fifth in the Group 1 Sangster Stakes (1200m) last campaign.

“She’s a very exciting sprinter, we’ve seen her win the Sunlight Classic at 1100m (against genuine Group horses)… and she left them in her wake,” Shinn said.

“Hopefully she can do that on the weekend and have some great sprinters chasing her.

“She’s now four years old, she’s a little bit stronger, mentally she’s stronger within herself, this is her time now and hopefully she can add another dimension to the sprinting ranks.”

Shinn has a strong book of rides on Saturday including Pericles in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) and Bosustow in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m).

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GROUP 1 MOIR STAKES FIELD
Saturday, September 7 | The Valley
No. – Horse – Trainer – Jockey – Barrier – Weight
1 – I WISH I WIN – Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman – Luke Nolen – 5 – 58.5kg
2 – MORNINGTON GLORY – Gavin Bedggood – Ethan Brown – 1 – 58.5kg
3 – JOHNNY ROCKER – Nick Ryan – Mark Zahra – 3 – 58.5kg
4 – CABALLUS – Bjorn Baker – Josh Parr – 9 – 58.5kg
5 – CHAIN OF LIGHTNING – Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman – TBA – 4 – 56.5kg
6 – ESTRIELLA – Ciaron Maher – Blake Shinn – 8 – 56.5kg
7 – COLEMAN – Matt Laurie – Kerrin McEvoy – 6 – 52kg
8 – LADY OF CAMELOT – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott – Zac Lloyd (a) – 2 – 50kg
9 – HAYASUGI – Clinton McDonald – Jamie Kah – 7 – 50kg

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TAB Fixed Odds betting market (post-barrier draw):
1 – I WISH I WIN - $4.20
2 – MORNINGTON GLORY - $21
3 – JOHNNY ROCKER - $21
4 – CABALLUS - $15
5 – CHAIN OF LIGHTNING - $15
6 – ESTRIELLA - $2.60
7 – COLEMAN - $11
8 – LADY OF CAMELOT - $4.60
9 – HAYASUGI - $13

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The Valley track was rated a good (4) at acceptance time. The rail will be in the true position on Saturday.

The Bureau Of Meteorology forecast for Melbourne is.

Tuesday – Partly cloudy. 17.
Wednesday – Partly cloudy. 21.
Thursday – Mostly cloudy (70% chance of 0-5mm of rain). 23.
Friday – Mostly cloudy (80% chance of 1-6mm of rain). 26.
Saturday – Partly cloudy. 18.

CLICK HERE to get the fields and free formguide for Caulfield meeting on Saturday.

Originally published as Jockey Blake Shinn to adopt catch-me-if-can tactics aboard Estriella in Group 1 Moir Stakes