Co-trainer Troy Corstens has the taste of Group 1 glory and would like to savoir that taste again.
Baraqiel, prepared by Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin, won the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 6 and returns to The Valley on Friday night looking to add the Manikato Stakes (1200m) to his CV.
Troy Corstens said he went eight years without a Group 1 victory – Montoya’s Secret in the 2017 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill his last – and does not want to wait that long for his next.
“We got the Group 1, but once you’ve got one, you want more unfortunately, because we’re greedy,” Corstens said.
“Winning Group 1’s is really addictive. It was eight years since my last one and I’m hoping it won’t be eight years until my next one.”
When Baraqiel returned to racing after his latest setback, of which there have been many, Friday night’s race was picked out as his chance for Group 1 glory.
Baraqiel was due to commence his campaign in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in July but was scratched following a veterinary inspection on-course.
That altered plans and Corstens said winning the Moir Stakes was a bonus.
“This was always going to be our Grand Final, but we may change that afterwards as I always say as a horse trainer, I deserve the right to change my mind at any time of the day,” Corstens said.
“I would love to look at The Everest, if I can. I think Nathan (Bennett) has had a couple of little phone calls, but nothing serious just yet.
“I think everyone is holding back for Friday night and to win the Moir, it was a bonus.
“We were going to start off in the Bletchingly and then we were open as to how we were going to get to the Manikato.
“It might have been the Moir anyway, but when we missed the Bletchingly, it forced our hand.”
Baraqiel has gate seven in the 10-horse field on Friday night and will be ridden by Ben Allen who has been aboard the gelding in all 12 starts, registering eight wins.
Corstens said he will not be tying Allen down with any instructions.
“It will be interesting to see what goes forward,” Corstens said.
“Maybe Sir Sway goes forward, Alabama Lass will probably go forward. Rothfire is drawn outside us, so that might make it OK for us if he goes forward and then it depends where he gets posted.
“I try not and pin Ben down with much. He knows what he’s doing and knows the horse very well.
“We’ll let him ride the horse and the race and go from there.”
With Friday night’s Manikato the last to be staged at the current Moonee Valley venue before it is reshaped, Corstens said it would be great to go out with a boom.
“I love Moonee Valley, so to win it would be unbelievable,” he said.
