Questions unresolved after Moir as Golden Rose takes centre stage
Last night’s Moir Stakes (Gr 1, 1000m) at Moonee Valley likely left more questions than answers for the five slot-holders yet to secure a horse for the $15 million The Everest (1200m), the world’s richest race on turf to be run at Randwick on October 17.
Moir winner Pippie (Written Tycoon) is unlikely to follow in the footsteps of past Moir victors She Will Reign (Manhattan Rain), Viddora (I Am Invincible) and Nature Strip (Nicconi) as an Everest contender, especially with so much speed already engaged through the likes of Nature Strip and Farnan (Not A Single Doubt).
She is instead more likely to stay in Melbourne and head towards the Manikato Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m), where she will appear to enjoy a similar passage – if not easier – than she did last night, before she tackles the Darley Sprint Classic (Gr 1, 1200m) on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Instead, one must look behind her and the most obvious statement was made by Trekking (Street Cry), with the Stradbroke Handicap (Gr 1, 1400m) and The Goodwood (Gr 1, 1200m) winner making plenty of ground late.
For Godolphin, whose slot remains unfilled, it leaves them with a dilemma: do they side with Newmarket Handicap (Gr 1, 1200m) and Golden Rose (Gr 1, 1400m) winner Bivouac (Exceed And Excel) after his tough first-up effort in The Shorts (Gr 2, 1100m) or do they instead lean to a proven commodity in Trekking, who ran an excellent third – flashing home from last – in The Everest last year?
Whoever is not chosen by Godolphin is likely to be snapped up by one of the other four slot-holders: it appears unlikely to be Coolmore (although the relationship between the two operations is, globally, warmer than it has been in years) but Chris Waller Racing, Max Whitby/Neil Werrett and James Harron would all surely be happy to end up with the Godolphin “second-stringer”.
A lot will depend on the Golden Rose Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) and the Golden Pendant Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) at Rosehill today, especially with five slot-holders yet to select a runner after The Star secured Behemoth (All Too Hard) earlier this week.
Golden Rose entrant Peltzer (So You Think) remains a leading contender to take the Coolmore slot, with his main rival likely to be Fasika (So You Think), who will put her case forward in next Saturday’s Premiere Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m).
Chris Waller Racing’s slot is most likely to be filled by Golden Pendant favourite Haut Brion Her (Zoustar) should she reproduce her first-up victory in the Sheraco Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) today. As suggested last week, if she isn’t selected, it wouldn’t surprise to see his owners look outside the stable as they have done in the past.
Max Whitby and Neil Werrett have given no public indications about who they are interested in selecting for their slot, but with the pair owning Golden Pendant runner Jen Rules (Redoute’s Choice) and Werrett also having a share in Masked Crusader (Toronado), perhaps a big effort by one of those two today could see them entering discussions.
That leaves James Harron, the inaugural-winning slot-holder in 2017 after he secured Redzel (Snitzel). On paper, he may have the pick of what’s left: Godolphin’s reserve, any of the non-selected Golden Rose runners, even horses that have seemingly fallen by the wayside like Australian Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) victor Alligator Blood (All Too Hard).
While it may seem like all the leading contenders have been taken, the win of Yes Yes Yes (Rubick) last year shows that a late decision can be beneficial.
The Golden Rose marks base camp; from here, all paths lead to Randwick’s summit. Who will prevail in the $15 million The Everest? Stay tuned to ANZ Bloodstock News’ coverage in the lead-up to October 17.