Group l racing returns to Moonee Valley this Saturday, with the Moir Stakes (1000m) attracting a capacity field.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Moir Stakes.
2025 Moir Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Rothfire: Has run well in this race previously and went like a rocket in a recent trial win at Doomben. But, he’s getting on in years and just not sure he’s sharp enough to measure up.
2. Midwest: He has a great racing style and will look the winner at some stage I am sure. Just not sure he has the class to fend them off.
3. Payline: To me, this is a barrier trial for something else down the track. 1000m is too sharp for him, but he will be strong at the end.
4. Golden Boom: T Gollan away from Brisbane, outside Antino = pen job. He was plain in the Carlyon. Not for me.
5. Queman: Queman is an absolute beauty for Team Oxlade that is back for another crack at a Victorian Group l. Outstanding return four week ago in the Behemoth, leading throughout and credit to him, he was fresh at 1200m, there to be beaten…but he found to fend them off and win. Back to 1000m is fine, he’ll be strong at the end…he can win this without surprising.
6. Jedibeel: SCR
7. Baraqiel: Played up in the gates prior to them opening in the Carlyon. Had to pass a vet check but he was the winner a long way out and once he got the split, away he went. Has to be respected as one of the leading contenders.
8. Sir Sway: Ripping short course animal but this looks a bridge too far.
9. Oak Hill: He looks a massive price. Shinn is back on and the horse was unlucky in the Carlyon. He wasn’t going to win but the was that of a barrier trial. If he gets the break, he has the finale to be dangerous.
10. Arabian Summer: Love horses that are targeted for this race and this mare is well and truly set for it. Couple of sharp jumpouts under the belt, maps to stalk the speed. Just needs luck from the gate re getting clear air.
11. Skybird: Trial/jumpout work has been electric and was dynamic first up last prep in the Lightning. The set up is there for her, but I can’t do it to myself to dive into anything John Allen is riding and think she’ll be much better down the straight.
12. Alabama Lass: Has to be given serious respect. Kiwi raider that has a good racing style and is a winner, a line finder. Trialled up super in NZ to get ready, maps ideally, she’s a key chance.
13. Tiger Shark: SCR
14. Niance: Niance looks to be humming for Beggy. She resumes, having not raced since the latter part of the Autumn when winning the Bel Esprit. Fresh at 1000m, I think, will be fine, and her jumpout work has been very sharp.
15. La Dorada: Going to speck La Dorada each way. Already a Group l winner in NZ, she’s been strong in two jumpouts, noteworthy the latest over 1000m, so the grounding is there for a hard 1000m with the lightweight. The only query/negative…Luke Cartwright…fair dinkum. A 3kg claiming apprentice in a Group l…good luck to him and connections, but that is just so scary. But, the set up is there for me to say she’ll run really well.
16. Esha (First Emergency): No…just no. How can she be $5.50/thereabouts. Impressive first up win yes, but she beat nothing and how the hell can she be that price in an open age WFA G1 sprint? No way she wins. Poison odds.
2025 Moir Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$5 Win/$25 Place La Dorada
$30 Niance
$5 Win/$10 Place Queman
$25 Win Alabama Lass
Group l Strategy Outlay: $200
Group l Strategy Return: $365
2025 Moir Stakes Odds
2025 Moir Stakes Speed Map
1000m Group l…they should go flat out from the outset. Midwest and Golden Boom look the main speed runners, with Arabian Summer not being far away. Alabama Lass, Rothfire and Esha should hold a forward spot, generating a fast tempo.
