Trainer Peter Snowden will be out to win the Danehill Stakes for the third time in four runnings when star colt Sepoy lines up in the Group Two sprint on Saturday.
Snowden won the 1200m event with Aichi in 2008 and with Soul last year and Sepoy is set to become the first Blue Diamond Stakes winner and only the second Golden Slipper winner to go on and win the Danehill.
The Danehill, run under several different names on Victoria Derby Day before 2006, was won by Slipper winner Rory’s Jester in 1985.
The most notable winner since the race was shifted to early September and re-named the Danehill is undoubtedly champion Black Caviar (2009).
The Peter Moody stable also has a good record in the race in recent years winning it with Tan Tat De Lago (2007) and Black Caviar.
Moody will saddle up Blue Diamond runner-up Hallowell Belle who was beaten a half-head when runner-up to Kneeling in the Crockett Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on August 20.
Golden Slipper runner-up Mosheen is set for a re-match with Sepoy who beat her by two lengths at Rosehill.
At her first start for new trainer Robert Smerdon, Mosheen was resuming when third to another Danehill entry Satin Shoes in the Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 13.
At that same meeting Sepoy was ultra-impressive in winning the Vain Stakes over the same trip, beating subsequent McNeil Stakes (1200m) winner Golden Archer by 2-1/2 lengths and taking his record to six wins from seven starts.
The handsome chestnut won the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m) on debut at Flemington last October and, even if he runs second on Saturday, he will pass the $3 million mark in stakes earnings.
Also among the 12 nominations is the Jason McLachlan-trained Absalon who is unbeaten in two starts in Queensland.
The Mossman colt won a 1000m maiden at the Sunshine Coast on debut in May before a victory over Mahisara in the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on June 13.
AAP TURF
