Almanac Racing: Moir Stakes Day, The Valley – 6 September 2025

 

Group 1 racing in Victoria this Saturday moves to The Valley (or as most of us still know it – Moonee Valley) with the running of the Moir Stakes over 1000m. Some of us will also remember the full name of the race being the A J Moir Stakes, named after former Chairman of the Moonee Valley Racing Club from 1960 -1975, Alan John Moir.

 

Race 9 on the program Saturday, the Moir Stakes has been a Group 1 race since 2013 and won by some very good horses over the years, including two of our most recent champion sprinters in Imperatriz and Nature Strip. Whilst we have a full field at this stage, I think it’s pretty safe to say there is no Imperatriz or Nature Strip in it this year.

 

I wouldn’t talk you out of backing your own judgement in the Moir Stakes as in my opinion this renewal is a very tough race. After much back and forth I’ve sided with the New Zealand mare,12 Alabama Lass, to be ridden by Craig Williams. She’s unbeaten first up and comes here first up off a last start win in a Listed race over 1100m down the Flemington straight. She’s a Group 2 winner over 1400m and a dual Group 1 placegetter in New Zealand and is drawn well here to sit just off the pace and be strong at the finish in a race with plenty of early pace. I think she’s the safe each way option.

 

Another Group 1 winning mare, 11 Skybird, will be hardest to beat. Skybird (surprisingly to me) won the Group 1 Lightning Stakes over 1000m down the Flemington straight at her last start and is on the return from injury here. She’s trialled up well for this race and whilst she will need a Johnny Allen special around the tight Valley course she can run into the finish. It will be heart in your mouth stuff for her backers though as she will get back and need some luck. 7 Baraqiel was an impressive winner over this track and distance last start and is 3 wins from 3 starts at the track. He’s drawn wide though which won’t help his chances and it’s the same for 14 Niance who has won her last four starts and has trialled up well for this. She’ll need luck also from her wide draw but gets her chance here at Group 1 level. 16 Esha is the unknown, she’s won her only two starts, both at 1000m, but this is a huge step up in class. She gets the services of Jamie Melham here after her also riding the filly to an impressive win in a recent Mornington jumpout over 1000m and does have the benefit of a recent race. 1 Rothfire is the other runner I can give a chance, although his best may be behind him. Trainer, Robert Heathcote, knows what it takes to win this race having won it three times with Buffering in days gone by and Rothfire does race well fresh.

 

12 Alabama Lass – 11 Skybird – 7 Baraqiel – 14 Niance

 

Best Bets

 

It’s a tough day at The Valley but 3 Angel Capital should win race 5. He’s one win from one start at the course and is one win from two starts over 1200m. He’s the class horse in the race, has won two recent jumpouts in Sydney and it seems Chris Waller has aimed him up here for an ‘easy kill’ to boost his rating. A recent purchase by Yulong he’ll be aimed at better races than this with a Group 1 win a target for stud purposes.

 

In Sydney, the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes seems to be at the mercy of 2 Ceolwulf. He ran on very well from back in the field first up behind the best horse in the country, Via Sistina, to be beaten a little over 2 lengths. The better track conditions here won’t hurt his chances and there’s no Via Sistina in this with the main dangers all looking for a mile and a half or further as opposed to a mile. He wins.

 

 

Gamble Responsibly. Chances are you’re about to lose.

 

 

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