A second placing behind Black Caviar in the Lightning Stakes followed by another second to Shamexpress in the Newmarket led Peter Moody to hold the reasonable belief that Moment Of Change was among the better sprinters in the country.
But that opinion received a jolt when Moment Of Change tailed the field in the Group One Canterbury Stakes at Rosehill at his only start since.
Moment Of Change winning the Clamms Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
The premier trainer gives Moment Of Change the chance to prove that form wrong in Saturday’s Group One Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville, but it will be the only opportunity the horse gets before going for a spell.
“I think he was flat after the Newmarket and the Lightning, they were a bit taxing,” he said.
“But I probably kidded myself as well.”
In revised Goodwood betting after Moment Of Change drew barrier six in a field of 18, Moment Of Change was an instant firmer, tightening from $2.20 to $2.10.
Moment Of Change has topweight of 58.5kg in the Goodwood, a burden Moody says he should cope with.
But he also acknowledges the weight advantage held by Group One performers such as Yosei and the Queenslander Facile Tigre.
“He’s not that well treated at the weights compared to some of the others, but he’s a nice big strong horse,” Moody said.
“Giving six kilos to Yosei is a bit of a concern, but he races on or about the speed and makes his own luck.”
Yosei, who will start from gate nine is at $7.50 and Facile Tigre from the gate directly inside the Victorian mare is the only other runner under double figures at $9.
Moment of Change is Moody’s only Group One representative for the weekend following his decision to bypass the BTC Cup at Doomben with Ready To Rip who is now likely to run the following weekend.
