The opening Group 1 spring sprint race hits Sandown this weekend, and with a promising line-up of proven stars and emerging talent doing battle, and Neds have your back with our expert AJ Moir Stakes 2026 betting tips, predictions and favourites at Moonee…sorry…at Sandown-Hillside this Saturday!
The $750,000 Moir Stakes flips the script for punters, with the usual Moonee Valley specialists no longer dominating a race that’s been completely reshaped by its temporary move to Sandown Hillside. Instead of relying on tight‑turn brilliance, this year’s edition puts the spotlight firmly on true 1000m weapons — horses with raw speed, proven versatility and that all‑important X‑factor needed to handle Sandown’s long, rising straight.
A deep field of 13 makes this a wide‑open Group 1, and it’s a lightly weighted filly — Natural Fling — who has surged to the top of the Moir Stakes odds despite drawing the carpark. Whether she can overcome that gate and keep her hype train rolling is the big question, especially with seasoned stars like Giga Kick, the former Everest champ, lurking ready to strike fresh.
So who takes out the first elite sprint of the spring? Dive into our full AJ Moir Stakes 2026 tips, predictions and Same Race Multi plays as Neds gets you primed for one of the most exciting 1000m clashes of the carnival.
2026 AJ Moir Stakes Favourites & Best Bets
Ciaron Maher’s exciting youngster NATURAL FLING (13) might be parked out in the carpark for the Moir, but that hasn’t stopped punters piling in.
Her explosive Quezette Stakes romp turned heads, and while she’s still very much a work‑in‑progress stepping out of her comfort zone, the filly gets in with a featherweight and has the early toe to offset the draw.
Jamie Melham is almost certain to press on and take luck out of the equation, but the real question is whether her raw talent can withstand the late charge of the seasoned Group 1 sprinters stalking behind.
She’s fast, she’s fresh, she’s fascinating — but she’s also vulnerable.
Neds Verdict: A livewire leader with serious upside — dazzling enough to give them all something to chase, but still green enough that the big guns might reel her in late.
| 13. Natural Fling (13) 50kg12×1 |
GIGA KICK (9) steps back into the spotlight, and while he’s not the headline act in the market this year, he’s absolutely the one punters are circling as the danger fresh.
Former The Everest champ hasn’t quite fired in his most recent runs, but his autumn form still showed flashes of the old brilliance — that narrow TJ Smith defeat and his solid Black Caviar Lightning run first-up in the autumn prove he’s far from finished.
His Melbourne trials have been sharp, he’s historically lethal first‑up, and Sandown’s long straight gives him exactly the runway he needs to wind up and let rip.
If he’s anywhere near his best, he’s the one the favourite won’t want stalking late.
Neds Verdict: The seasoned sniper — polished, powerful and primed to launch, ready to blow past them if the engine turns over like it used to.
| 1. Giga Kick (9) 58.5kg5420x |
CAVALRY GIRL (5) shapes as the roughie with bite — a mare who keeps turning up, keeps improving, and keeps making her doubters look silly.
She’s strung together a hat‑trick of wins, each one stronger than the last, and her latest Sandown Hillside performance on Heavy ground showed she’s not just sharp, she’s adaptable.
Whether it was her dominant Lightning Stakes victory in South Australia, her slick recent The Heath win, or her gritty Group 3 success in the Norman Carlyon right here at Hillside, she’s been putting margins on them all winter long and arrives rock‑hard fit for her biggest test yet.
The Moir is a serious jump in class, but she maps perfectly, she’s a genuine 1000m specialist, and she’ll be right on the speed with Willo ensuring she doesn’t give the favourites an inch.
If Natural Fling gets the right run, this girl does too — only at a much tastier quote.
Neds Verdict: The on‑pace danger at overs — tough, tuned‑up and tenacious enough to make the big names sweat all the way to the post.
| 9. Cavalry Girl (5) 56.5kg12111 |
2026 AJ Moir Stakes Same Race Multi Selections
We’re steering clear of the Moir favourite in our Same Race Multi and instead locking in three runners who tick the right boxes, map well, and offer serious value — including one big‑odds mare who keeps popping up in the numbers for a sneaky Top 6 finish.
- Top 2 – No. 1 Giga Kick
- Top 3 – No. 9 Cavalry Girl
- Top 6 – No. 12 Bazaball Rewarded
GIGA KICK (9) is The Everest champ and logical quinella anchor — a proven elite sprinter who trials like a weapon and always fires fresh. Sandown’s long straight gives him the perfect runway to launch late and grab a top‑two spot.
CAVALRY GIRL (5)
is a tough on‑speed mare who is flying and maps to get every favour. Fit, fast and fearless, she’s exactly the type who can cling on for a podium finish at a juicy quote.
BAZABALL REWARDED (3) is our blowout hope with hidden upside — she handles the track, thrives at 1000m, and her recent Sandown placing behind Cavalry Girl suggests she’s capable of surprising again. Drawn well, maps kindly, and adds serious value to round out the multi.
| 9. Cavalry Girl (5) 56.5kg12111 | ||
| 12. Bazaball Rewarded (3) 56.5kg12732 | ||
| 1. Giga Kick (9) 58.5kg5420x |
Favourites in AJ Moir Stakes 2026 Betting
The 2026 Moir Stakes market has taken on a completely different shape with the race shifting to Sandown Hillside, and punters are locking onto runners with true 1000m strength, soft‑track credentials and the ability to build momentum down the long straight. With a lightly weighted filly firming as the hot elect, a former Everest hero lurking as the class danger, and a flying on‑speed mare holding her spot as the best value, this year’s Moir is stacked with angles. Below, we break down the key runners driving the latest odds.
Favourite: No. 13 Natural Fling ($3.60 → $3.30)
Natural Fling has tightened at the top of Moir Stakes betting after her explosive four‑length Quezette Stakes win fresh. She’s still learning, but her early speed, soft‑track form and ideal 1000–1100m profile make her a serious threat even from the wide draw. With ear muffs on pre‑race and a big weight drop to 50kg, she’s expected to spear across and take up the running.
Why she’s the one they’re backing:
- Dominant last‑start Group 3 win
- Proven on soft ground
- Perfect distance profile (1000–1100m)
- Big weight drop
- Gear tweaks to sharpen her up
Expected Settling Position: Leader
| 13. Natural Fling (13) 50kg12×1 |
Second Favourite: No. 1 Giga Kick ($4.20 → $4.50)
Giga Kick drifts slightly but remains the clear class runner of the race. The 1000m is short of his sweet spot, yet his fresh record, booming late finish and soft‑track ability keep him firmly in the mix. His Lightning Stakes run last prep showed he can still be dangerous at the trip, and Sandown’s long straight plays right into his hands.
Why he’s the major danger:
- Elite first‑up performer
- Soft‑track suited
- Genuine Group 1 class
- Trials have been sharp
- Will be rattling home late
Expected Settling Position: Backmarker
| 1. Giga Kick (9) 58.5kg5420x |
Next Best: No. 9 Cavalry Girl ($9 → $10)
Cavalry Girl continues to drift slightly but remains one of the most reliable on‑speed plays. She’s flying this prep with three straight wins, including a tough Group 3 victory at Sandown over this exact trip. Fit, fast and thriving at 1000m, she maps to sit right on the speed again with Willo aboard.
Why she’s right in the mix:
- Jockey/trainer combo on fire
- Perfect 1000–1100m profile
- Tongue tie added
- Proven at Sandown
- Rock‑hard fit and in peak form
Expected Settling Position: Leader
| 9. Cavalry Girl (5) 56.5kg12111 |
Being Kept Safe: No. 7 My Gladiola ($10 → $11)
My Gladiola resumes and brings genuine X‑factor. Her Lightning Stakes second to Tentyris last prep proves she’s sharp enough at 1000m, and a recent trial win suggests she’s forward enough to fire fresh. The only query is how wet the track gets, but at double‑figure odds she’s a live knockout hope.
Why she’s respected:
- Strong first‑up record
- Recent trial winner
- Genuine 1000m talent
- Synthetic hoof filler removed
- Capable of producing a peak fresh
Expected Settling Position: Backmarker
| 7. My Gladiola (6) 56.5kg2047x |
Steady Selection: No. 8 Point Barrow ($11)
Point Barrow resumes after a solid Sangster run and has shown she can sprint well fresh. She’ll get back and give them a start, but her class and strong jockey/trainer combo keep her in the conversation.
Expected Settling Position: Backmarker
| 8. Point Barrow (10) 56.5kgx515x |
Market Mover: No. 11 Extragalactic ($13 → $11)
Extragalactic is the early Moir Stakes mover, firming in betting off a strong trial and a profile that screams late danger. She’s a genuine 1000–1200m specialist with a wicked turn of foot and has previously produced big fresh wins.
Why she’s firming:
- Distance specialist
- Recent trial winner
- Strong first‑up record
- Soft‑track capable
- Big finishing burst
Expected Settling Position: Off Pace
| 11. Extragalactic (2) 56.5kg1122x |
Latest 2026 Moir Stakes Odds
Moir Stakes 2026 Results
| 7. My Gladiola (6) 56.5kg2047x | ||
| 9. Cavalry Girl (5) 56.5kg12111 | ||
| 13. Natural Fling (13) 50kg12×1 | ||
| 11. Extragalactic (2) 56.5kg1122x | ||
| 6. Geegees Mistruth (4) 56.5kg0721x | ||
| 3. Skybird (12) 56.5kg3070x | ||
| 4. Generosity (7) 56.5kgx156x | ||
| 2. Rothfire (1) 58.5kg0170x | ||
| 12. Bazaball Rewarded (3) 56.5kg12732 | ||
| 1. Giga Kick (9) 58.5kg5420x | ||
| 8. Point Barrow (10) 56.5kgx515x | ||
| 10. Hearcomesthestar (11) 56.5kgx331x | ||
| 5. Ole Dancer (8) 56.5kgx230x |