Analysis: Matt Stewart looks at the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley

RENOWNED escape artist Chautauqua has a habit of making magic happen — late — at Moonee Valley and Friday night promises to be no different.

Chautauqua ridden by Tommy Berry, wins race 8 the TJ Smith Stakes during Day 1 of the Championships at Royal Randwick. pic Jenny Evans

RENOWNED escape artist Chautauqua has a habit of making magic happen — late — at Moonee Valley and Friday night promises to be no different.

Herald Sun racing writer Matt Stewart runs his eye over the showstopping star Chautauqua and his well-credentialed adversaries in the Group 1 Moir Stakes on Grand Final eve.

THE EARLY OIL: MOONEE VALLEY

MONEY TRAIN: SPRING BETTING TRACKER

HOT TIPS: WEEKEND BEST BETS

BEAT THE BOOKIE: VALUE BETS

$500,000 MOIR STAKES FIELD

Moonee Valley, Friday night 9.30pm

Group 1, 1000m

1 BUFFERING 6 R Heathcote D Browne 58.5kg $6

2 CHAUTAUQUA 5 Team Hawkes D Dunn 58.5kg $2.25

3 LUCKY HUSTLER 2 D Weir B Rawiller 58.5kg $7.50

4 BALL OF MUSCLE 3 J Pride K McEvoy 58.5kg $19

5 REDZEL 1 Team Snowden M Zahra 58.5kg $17

6 WILD RAIN 8 M Kavanagh S Baster 56.5kg $21

7 HEATHERY 7 M Ellerton & S Zahra D Lane 56.5kg $12

8 CHLOE IN PARIS 4 C Maher D Oliver 56.5kg $31

9 EXTREME CHOICE 9 M Price C Newitt 52kg $4.80

Damian Browne and the world class Buffering combine to win the Al-Quoz Sprint during the Dubai World Cup meeting in March. Picture: AFP

THE SPEED

It‘s everywhere. But the fastest of the fast are probably REDZEL and BUFFERING, with CHLOE IN PARIS, WILD RAIN and BALL OF MUSCLE also quick out. HEATHERLY has great speed but has been missing the start.

THE FACTORS

TRACK: Good 4

RAIL: True.

WEATHER: Showers during afternoon. 15C

THE SKINNY

With Matt Stewart

BUFFERING

Perennial sprint star. Goes very fast and unbeaten this track and distance. Always hard to chase down when he leads but will have a few mates on-speed here.

CHAUTAUQUA

Twice he’s raced at this tricky little saucer track and twice he’s plucked victory from near certain defeat. Will let the fireworks explode in front of him before Dwayne Dunn attempts to round them up on the final bend. Win or lose, it will be an exhilarating spectacle.

Chautauqua takes out the T.J. Smith Stakes at Royal Randwick. Picture: Jenny Evans

LUCKY HUSSLER

Darren Weir has won three of the four Group 1’s of the new season — should have been four from four — and “Lucky’’ seems a genuine chance of upsetting Chautauqua. Will relish hot pace upfront and might come at them a few strides before the grey. Interesting.

BALL OF MUSCLE

Beaten a half length by Buffering in this last year. One of a handful who will fly along here and like most of those speedsters, the last few strides will be the test.

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Redzel has a huge challenge ahead. Picture: Jenny Evans

REDZEL

Might be the fastest of the fast here. Showed incredible early pace at Caulfield. Won’t get even half a chance to take a breath here. Last 50m will seem like 500m.

WILD RAIN

Fast mare but Baster won’t be wanting to scream forward from wide alley with so much speed inside. High class and loves the track but hard to see her winning.

HEATHERY

Her habit of missing the start might not kill her chances here — in fact might be a blessing in disguise. Stacks of talent and will be some sort of factor.

CHLOE IN PARIS

Another speedster who will be part of a crazy tempo. Will probably ease out of it fairly early and allow Redzel and Buffering to punch on. Doubt she’s good enough.

EXTREME CHOICE

Last season’s star 2YO who has put on 50kg and has “come back’’ according to Newitt, who says he will buy out of the early speed. Plan is to take a sit and surge before Chautauqua hits full stride.

MATT STEWART SELECTS

1 CHAUTAUQUA

2 Extreme Choice

3 Lucky Hussler

4 Buffering

Originally published as Analysis: Matt Stewart looks at the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley