Group 1 Moir Stakes tips, runner-by-runner form assessments
Racenet’s Clinton Payne presents his tips and form assessment for each of the nine runners in Saturday’s Group 1 Moir Stakes at The Valley.
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The $750,000 Moir Stakes has drawn together an outstanding field for the first feature Group 1 sprint of the season.
There are nine runners set to contest the 1000m weight-for-age contest.
Here is a runner-by-runner analysis of every horse set to line up on Saturday.
• Shinn to adopt catch-me-if-you-can tactics aboard Estriella in Moir
• Johnny Rocker primed for top show in Moir
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1 – I WISH I WIN
The highest rated sprinter in the country who’s proven effective over 1000m previously. Never missed a place in seven first-up runs and handles all types of ground. This is his first start at The Valley but previously he’s taken everything in his stride that they’ve thrown at him. This should be run to suit.
VERDICT: Don’t discount him, he’ll be powering late.
"One of the best sprinters in the land."
— Racing.com (@Racing) August 13, 2024
I Wish I Win (red colours) looked good in the first jump out of his preparation ð @moodyracingpgm@kscolemanpic.twitter.com/Gr4DlGL12N
2 – MORNINGTON GLORY
Speedy gelding that’s two from two this preparation at this track and distance. Unbeaten in four 1000m runs, three of those at The Valley but this is a step up in class compared with what he’s faced in the past. Proven on good and soft ground. Will need some luck from the inside gate.
VERDICT: This quality at weight-for-age will find him out.
Mornington Glory lets rip to win the Carlyon Stakes! ð¥@Brown_ethan8@GavinBedggoodpic.twitter.com/qM6PkxpMo9
— 7HorseRacing ð (@7horseracing) August 24, 2024
3 – JOHNNY ROCKER
Highly-regarded sprinter that announced himself during the autumn when a hard closing second behind Imperatriz over 1200m here in the William Reid. After that he failed in this grade in Sydney and Adelaide. In the placings in three previous first-up runs and never missed a place in three 1000m starts.
VERDICT: Lacks consistency but capable when on. Place claims.
That's 10 G1s for the star mare ð¥
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 23, 2024
Imperatriz defends her William Reid title & reclaims her throne ð
@TeAkauRacingpic.twitter.com/P4qql8TkMw
4 – CABALLUS
Has always promised a lot but time appears to have been his friend and he went to another level in the autumn, will that again be the case this spring? Won the Eskimo Prince in February and then beaten 1-3/4 lengths by Estriella, the favourite here. Trials have been good, he’s a fast horse that’s proven fresh.
VERDICT: If there’s to be a surprise, this is the horse to do it.
Caballus wins the Group 3 Eskimo Prince in dominant fashion!@JoshuaParr8@BBakerRacing@Darby_Racingpic.twitter.com/1RkjndBaHn
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 10, 2024
Caused one of the biggest Group 1 surprises of the year when toppling a star-studded field in the TJ Smith at Randwick. She’s one from one at the track but never previously raced at 1000m, although a winner in Adelaide over 1050m. Handles all ground and won a recent Pakenham jumpout.
VERDICT: I’m expecting her to come up short in this.
â¡ï¸ Chain Of Lightning causes a bit of an upset in the G1 TJ Smith Stakes!@aus_turf_club@moodyracingpgm@kscoleman@LaneDamianpic.twitter.com/6JyFRHqgtA
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 6, 2024
6 – ESTRIELLA
One of the real boom horses heading into the spring. This lightly-raced mare shone during the autumn, winning three on end in emphatic style before coming up short in the Robert Sangster at the end of the campaign. Her trials have been awesome and she’s fast so 1000m should be no problem.
VERDICT: Definite contender but priced at less than $3?
Talented sprinter, Estriella, was in cruise control this morning! âï¸ @cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/lWSJwFax1N
— Racing.com (@Racing) August 26, 2024
7 – COLEMAN
Gun colt resuming off Golden Slipper and ATC Sires’ Produce placings and as a juvenile he was unbeaten in two starts over 1000m. His trials have been indifferent to the eye, but the blinkers went on in a track gallop at The Valley on Tuesday and he worked brilliantly. The blinkers are not yet declared as a gear change?
VERDICT: I think the blinkers hold the key to his chances.
Shades on means itâs go time for the colt COLEMAN, who worked sharply this morning! ð
— Moonee Valley Racing Club (@TheValley) September 2, 2024
Heâll carry just 52kg in the Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes under WFA conditions! @mattlaurierace#LoveTheValleypic.twitter.com/0XpTztNjUy
8 – LADY OF CAMELOT
One of the genuine stars of last season’s two-year-olds, winner of the Golden Slipper and runner-up in the Blue Diamond. A fast filly that has been on the speed in both of her trials, the latest where she improved sharply and safely held Everest winner Giga Kick. Drawn to get an ideal run.
VERDICT: Will be in this for a long way.
1⣠Lady Of Camelot
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 18, 2024
2⣠Giga Kick
3⣠Linebacker
The reigning Golden Slipper winner, with @ZacLloydx up, holds the 2022 #TABEverest champ (@mcacajamez) in an 850m Kensington trial on Monday. Celestial Legend and Democracy Manifest followed. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/8XdKk6Yrmi
9 – HAYASUGI
She was another of showstoppers of last season’s juvenile crop, winning the Blue Diamond before a trip to Sydney for the Golden Slipper proved too much. She’s looked the part in her two trials, finding the line strongly under minimal pressure from Jamie Kah. This should set up perfectly with plenty of speed engaged.
VERDICT: Look for her to be powering late.
Pharari was too fast for the likes of Hayasugi, Johnny Rocker, Coleman, Veight & Benedetta in a star-studded trial ð¥ pic.twitter.com/YnaAf4MAEX
— Racing.com (@Racing) August 26, 2024
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TIPS
1st – HAYASUGI (No. 9)
2nd – ESTRIELLA (No. 6)
3rd – I WISH I WIN (No. 1)
4th – LADY OF CAMELOT (No. 8)
Originally published as Group 1 Moir Stakes tips, runner-by-runner form assessments