With redevelopment continuing at The Valley, 2026 Moir Stakes Day will instead take place on the Sandown Hillside this Saturday, September 5th.
Ten races are on the program, including an outstanding edition of the Group 1 Moir Stakes, which will see several progressive sprinters meet others that are already proven at the highest level.
Check out my Sandown best bets, including my 2026 Moir Stakes Tips below!
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.
| 1. Ko Phangan (4) J: Craig Williams 60kg x6431T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |||
| Comes here off a 49-day let-up. Most recently favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 2.5 len at Flemington on July 18 over 1800m on a rain affected track defeating Notified with 59kg at $2.05. The race before that held ground to the line 3rd of 8 in the LR Taj Rossi (Gibson Carmichael) Final at Flemington on July 4 over 1600m, on a slow track; 1.3 len behind Marwooba carrying 54kg at $7. Off a break the query but has ability. | |||
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.
| 6. Blue Willow (6) J: Jabez Johnstone 54.5kg 34217T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| At the latest run 7th of 14 in a Bm78 at Caulfield on August 29 over 1800m, slow going 4.5 len behind Politely Dun carrying 53kg at $5. The start before that settled well back; won by 1.75 len at this track on July 29 over 1600m in the wet defeating Baywatch carrying 54kg at $2.40. Can bounce back on the quick turnaround. | |||
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.
| 8. Tres Magnifique (5) J: Craig Williams 53kg 1116xT: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |||
| Mare returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation sixth of 10 at Caulfield 3yo Hcp May 30 over 1100m, on rain affected going; 3 len behind Choir Point carrying 59.5kg at $7.50. Previous preparation first-up to post a big 7 len win. Bendigo 0 – 62 March 27 over 1000m defeating Mine All Mine with 57.5kg at $1.35. Looks forward enough after a recent trial win. Speedy mare who sets up well with no weight. | |||
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.
| 3. Cruiserweight (1) J: Ethan Brown 60kg 1×114T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Form hard to fault. Comes here off a 42-day let-up. Most recently raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 11 in a 3yo Hcp at Caulfield on July 25 over 1400m, slow going 2.5 len behind Lauberhorn with 58.5kg at $1.80. The start before that favourite; settled well back; won by 1.0 len at Caulfield on July 11 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Celtics carrying 54kg at $3. Back in trip perhaps not ideal but will give a huge sight. | |||
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.
| 6. Ghana’s Akan (6) J: Ethan Brown 56kg 25×42T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 9 in a 2yo Hcp at Caulfield on July 25 over 1100m, slow going 2.25 len behind Doubt Time with 56kg at $3.90. Second-up held ground to the line 2nd of 10 in a 3yo F Mdn-Sw at Sandown-Lakeside on August 19 over 1200m, slow going 0.5 len behind Saintly Dancer carrying 57kg at $2.60. Had chance latest but is in the mix again. | |||
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.
| 2. Closer To Free (1) J: Mark Zahra 58.5kg 120×5T: Danny O’brien | |||
| Second-up. First-up after five months 5th of 9 in the G3 Vain Stakes at Caulfield on August 15 over 1100m, slow going 1.75 len behind Hard Kick carrying 58kg at $2.35. Previously second-up 2nd of 16 in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield on February 21 over 1200m, 0.8 len behind Streisand carrying 57kg at $4.60. Okay fresh but would’ve liked to see more – jury out. | |||
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.
| 2. Evaporate (6) J: Blake Shinn 58.5kg 299×3T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months led but faded 3rd of 11 in the G2 PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield on August 15 over 1400m, slow going 1.5 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 59kg at $5. Previously second-up 2nd of 9 in a G1 The All-Star Mile at Flemington on March 7 over 1600m, long-neck behind Tom Kitten with 59kg at $12. Good fresh and this is a level easier, rates clear. | |||
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.
| 7. My Gladiola (6) J: Jamie Mott 56.5kg 2047xT: John Mcardle | |||
| Mare returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation seventh of 13 at Morphettville in the G1 Sangster April 25 over 1200m, 2 len behind Geegees Mistruth with 54.5kg at $9. First up last campaign second of 8 at Flemington in the G1 Lightning February 14 over 1000m, 0.8 len behind Tentyris with 54kg at $7. Looks forward enough after a recent trial win. Sharp mare with the peaks at 1000m to win. | |||
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.
| 11. Tennessee Bound (3) J: Jabez Johnstone 54kg x1112T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start made ground from midfield; 2nd of 7 in a Bm88 at this track on August 22 over 1300m, on rain affected going; 2.25 len behind Gold Coast Belle carrying 56.5kg at $2.90. The start before that won by a head at Caulfield on July 25 over 1100m in soft going defeating Behaviour with 54.5kg at $1.45. Down in the weights but this is tougher again, perhaps she’s hit her mark for now. | |||
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.
| 4. Stay Silent (5) J: Jabez Johnstone 58kg 48111T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| On a three run winning streak. Last start won by a long-neck at this track on August 22 over 1600m in heavy going defeating Castle On High carrying 55kg at $5. The start before that won by 0.8 len at Caulfield Heath on August 8 over 1500m on a soft track defeating Celtics carrying 59.5kg at $7.50. Keeps winning on speed, takes catching again. | |||