An outstanding field of sprinters has been taken for Friday night’s Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley and there is a case to be made for nearly every runner.
This is the first time that we will see Nature Strip step out in Group 1 company, but the in-form sprinter has opened a clear $2.20 favourite in Moir Stakes betting.
Nature Strip has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his entire racing career so far, but he has clearly gone to another level since transferring to the care of Darren Weir and is undefeated through four starts.
Having easily saluted in a couple of Listed races, the Nicconi gelding made a successful step-up in class when he held on to beat Houtzen in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes at this track and distance three weeks ago and a similar performance would see him right in the finish of the Moir.
Houtzen’s first-up run was simply outstanding and with improvement, she will be a serious threat in the Moir Stakes.
Winner of the Magic Millions most notably as a two-year-old, the I Am Invincible mare did not find the same form as a three-year-old but put the writing on the wall with her first-up performance this time.
Ryan Moloney can find a good position in transit from barrier 2 before calling on the mare’s turn of foot late. She is currently the sole occupant of the second line of Moir Stakes betting and represents value at $7.
Only one other horse is currently available at Moir Stakes odds of less-than $10 and Viddora could prove huge overs at $9.50.
Unlucky not to break through for a maiden win at the highest level when she finished second in this race last year, the daughter of I Am Invincible continued to impress when fourth in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m), before securing a well-deserved Group 1 title when a dominant winner of the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) in Perth.
Having ended that campaign with another slick win in the Magic Millions Snippets (1200m), Viddora failed to make an impression in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) during the Adelaide Autumn Carnival, but flies fresh and loves the Valley.
Japanese import Brave Smash has so-far received the greatest share of attention from punters, firming into Moir Stakes odds of $10 after opening at a $12 quote on Wednesday morning.
Brave Smash broke through for a well-deserved Group 1 win in the Futurity Stakes (1400m) in autumn and was unlucky not to add a Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) to his mantle when beaten by straight-track specialist Redkirk Warriors, but the flare of a nostril.
He’s worked home fairly to finish third in both the Group 3 The Heath (1100m) and Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) this time and will be nearing peak fitness for this assignment.