2026 Moir Stakes Day Preview

Just seven horses make up the field but with a case to be made for nearly all of them, the first on Moir Stakes Day shapes as a terrific contest.

KO PHANGAN (4) tuned up with a few credible performances earlier this prep and broke through for a maiden win over 1800m at Flemington last time out. He’s been freshened but clearly has the ability to go on with it now.

Hydrobomb HYDROBOMB (6) has the class to figure prominently, while CIGNETTI (2) and LEPOLO (5) both arrive off impressive wins and look capable of taking the next step.

Another open race looms with several key chances engaged.

BLUE WILLOW (6) has appeal coming back to the races quickly after a luckless effort last week, and the 2kg claim brings her down to an effective 54.5kg.

CELESTIAL ZARA (4) has won two of her past three and draws well in barrier four, while RUSSIAN DUCHESS (1) also arrives off a strong victory and gets Craig Williams aboard.

Several horses in peak order step out alongside some intriguing resuming runners, including TRES MAGNIFIQUE (5).

Tres Magnifique looks well placed with just 53kg and brings a strong winning record into this contest, having won three of her past four starts.

BEAST MODE (7) has been consistently competitive in decent races since resuming and looks ready to peak, while STOKKE (3) also commands respect third up from a spell and from a nice low draw.

CRUISERWEIGHT (1) missed a start last week as an emergency runner but looks well placed to get on up on Moir Stakes Day instead.

Having hit the ground running when arriving in Australia for consecutive Saturday metro victories, Cruiserweight did suffer the first defeat of his career last time out but picked up to work well through the line.

He steps out this week a fit horse, Ethan Brown rides and has options in the run from the rails draw. This is a great opportunity for the classy import to bounce back.

THINXZO (3) has won three of his past five and draws well in Barrier 3, with QUEEN CHRISTINE (12) another in excellent form having won her past three.

GHANA’S AKAN (6) is third up and primed to strike in the Atlantic Jewel Stakes.

While yet to strike in her first two runs back, Ghana’s Akan was tough before her condition just gave out a little over 1100m at Caulfield first up, while she was only just denied over 1200m here last time out.

With further improvement, another small rise in trip looks to suit, while she’s another one that has drawn well under Ethan Brown.

GRINZINGER HEART (3) was great last time in and draws well with Craig Williams aboard, while PRETTY BABY (7) brings a three-race winning streak into the contest and is clearly in peak order.

With one eye on races like the Coolmore Stud Stakes, the McKenzie Stakes has drawn a classy field to Sandown on Saturday, headlined by the talented CLOSER TO FREE (1).

Closer To Free stamped himself as one to follow during his debut prep, winning in Group 3 company before he was only just denied in a Blue Diamond Stakes.

Having trialled up well, he ultimately needed her first up ran when finishing midfield in the Vain Stakes when resuming, but strips fitter and should relish the rise in trip.

TORNADO VALLEY (6) has the ability to be competitive again, while WOLF GAP (8) and BLIND RAISE (4)  are both capable of improving with fitness as well.

EVAPORATE (6) is second up into what looks a perfect race for him at Sandown on Saturday.

Unlucky not to have won at the highest level, Evaporate turned in several typically smart performances last time in and was only just denied in the Futurity Stakes and the All-Star Mile most notably.

Having worked home well to fill the minors behind Cosmic Crusader and Private Eye in the PB Lawrence when resuming, he boasts an outstanding second up record and is my best bet on the program.

ASTERIX (8) faces a rise in class but has been racing well and could prove the value at huge odds, while Group 1 winner PINSTRIPED (10) has finished fourth at both runs this preparation and can improve again.

A stunning group of thirteen makes up the 2026 Moir Stakes field and with a case to be made for most of them, I’m keen to hunt the value, and I think it might sit with the resuming MY GLADIOLA (6) at around the $10 mark (at publish).

We haven’t seen My Gladiola at the races since April, but she’s a horse that has generally turned in her best efforts early in her preparations, and she is yet to finish worse than second first up.

One of those runs saw her finish less than a length behind Tentyris in the Black Caviar Lightning when she resumed back in February, while she has found form around some of the country’s best sprinters since debuting.

Having trialled up extremely well, she looks to get conditions to suit this week and if she is going to win at the highest level, I don’t think she’ll get a better opportunity than this.

This is an intriguing edition of the Chautauqua Stakes with several classy sprinters meeting and a case to be made for a few of them.

DESERT LIGHTNING (1) will improve second up off a credible performance in the PB Lawrence and has options from Barrier 1, while HERE TO SHOCK (5) also has plenty of class and resumes.

TENNESSE BOUND (3) has an outstanding record and gets in with just 54kg, with PERSIAN SPIRIT (4) another to respect after a strong first-up second.

Having only just suffered the first defeat of her career last time out, I’m keen to stick with Tennessee Bound in pear order and the light weight.

This is an open field with a few runners bringing strong recent winning form, particularly STAY SILENT (5) and CHANGING COLOURS (4).

MR VERSE (8) and SOMEWHERE (9) have also shown enough in recent starts to be competitive, while TUFF TU MUS (13) has the highest rating and gets some weight relief with the claim.

I’ve got Stay Silent on top, with Changing Colours and Mr Verse the main dangers.