Tips, suggested bets and feature race preview for the Moonee Valley Moir Stakes being run at Sandown Hillside 05/09/2026.
Hope you can keep up with all that! If you are looking for the Feehan Stakes it is now part of the Grand Final Eve meeting, which this year is going to be at Caulfield on the Sunday 27th September, the day after the Grand Final.
Fine weather heading into the weekend, but we are looking at serious rain for Saturday coming through earlier in the day so we are going to be looking at a deteriorating track and Sandown tends to downgrade pretty quickly with rain. Noting that Sandown always gets more rain regardless. So hard to judge racing conditions, rail goes back to TRUE here after being OUT 12M for mid-week meeting. Last transferred meeting here the rail was OUT 5M and the track played on-speed, so the inside going may be the best here, especially earlier in the day. Track worse side of SOFT and likely to deteriorate further into a serious Sandown wet track.
Pretty ordinary effort last week on a tricky Caulfield program and not sure there will be much in the way of redemption this week on what looks like a favourites day. Stack of scratchings have meant smalls fields across most of the day.
For Spring Campaign 2026 we won’t be posting tips till Saturday morning (earlier if time allows). Feature race preview at the bottom of this post.
BEST EACH WAY: Race 3: 7-SALUTED $4 EW
QUINELLA: Race 3: 7-SALUTED#3,8,9 x $3 = 100%
This one has been racing really consistently here over winter on wet tracks and has a great track and distance record (6 starts, 5 placings). Fought the finish right out here last start. Up against a short priced favourite here in the classy 8-TRES MAGNIFIQUE who has trialled extremely well, but there is a lot of speed here in tough conditions and the leaders may knock each other out and race fitness may be the edge. Happy to back each way at around $13 which seems value and anchor in a quinella with the 8-TRES MAGNIFIQUE , the under-rated 3-THANKS GORGEOUS and the one who beat this one home last start 9-FINAL MOMENT.
BEST EACH WAY: Race 4: 6-NIC’S CHOICE $4 EW
We are a big fan of this horse and we were a bit disappointed that there were so many scratchings as there were some really attractive odds on offer and would have tipped him regardless. Does drop back in his races so small field will be a plus and he did slice though the field impressively to win here two starts back on a wet track. Fair effort here last start when dropped back on a day when on-speed was an advantage, and just needs enough speed here to allow him to run on – but maybe they weave through the field again? Each way at around $14.
BEST EACH WAY: Race 7: 12-TEN COMMANDMENTS $4 EW
QUINELLA: Race 7: 12-TEN COMMANDMENTS, 7-PINSTRIPED x $2 = 200%
We tipped this one as best bet last week and happy to stick with him. He has been flying this time in, and it was a strange run last week, he was under hard riding coming to the turn but was still coming on well late – it looked like the leader controlled at a slow speed and he couldn’t sprint quickly when the time came. The 1500M is past his best distance, but the wet track and getting worse is a big, big plus for this one and he excels on seriously wet tracks, so happy to back each way at around $8. We were tossing up between this one and the 7-PINSTRIPED who looks ready to do something off two runs in so save on a quinella on those two.
BEST EACH WAY: Race 10: 19-CASTLE ON HIGH $4 EW
Another who just loves wet tracks and a seriously deteriorating Sandown wet track at the end of the day is exactly what he wants. Best runs this time in have been on heavy tracks and he loomed up to win here last start but just seemed to finish on is run (that leader is very tough to get past too). Fitter now and gets similar conditions and back each-way at around $11 finishing on down the middle of the track late in the day.
BEST ROUGH: Race 2: 9-TEL AVIV $2 EW
Going to push for a roughie early in the day – has been racing well on wet tracks at the provincials and like that he can settle handy here in a race with not much speed, and on-speed close to the rails should be a plus early in the day. Race fitness and handles it wet and just needs to plug away here on-speed at around $27. Oh also it’s wet – and he is grey which basically makes him a sure thing.
BEST ROUGH: Race 8: 6-GEEGEES MISTRUTH $2 EW
Talented type who can do things wrong out of the barriers and can be extremely frustrating to follow, but she is Group 1 proven and will be strong late here first-up. Really like the jump out of this one, not often they come from well back in the field running over the top of them under a hold. Plenty of the opposition here are also backmarkers, but many are suspect on wet tracks so think prefer this one out of that bunch. Rough at around $15.
LAY OF THE DAY: Race 6: 2-CLOSER TO FREE at around $2.30
This one had a great 2YO season and looked a sensation almost winning the Blue Diamond, but just wonder if the playing field is going to level out a bit as a 3YO. Past 1200M for the first time, not sure the wet track is going to suit and just thought the first-up effort was a bit plain. Might lead and control this, but also suspect one of the rest of the field will be on the improve and come out and run him down. Risking. Also a big call out to anyone considering taking even money about the Race 7: 2-EVAPORATE.
TURF DELI WONDER BET: Here we try and turn $5 into enough to build a Moonee Valley Grandstand.
$5 ALL UP
PLACE Race 3: 7-SALUTED
PLACE Race 4: 11-QUEEN CHRISTINE
PLACE Race 6: 7-PUT TO THE SWORD
PLACE Race 10: 19-CASTLE ON HIGH
These are all race fit winter horses who handle wet tracks, if they all get into the finish looking at around $200 for a $5 outlay.
SUGGESTED QUADDIE:
Races 7,8,9,10: 2,3,7,10,12 / 1,6,9 / 6,11 / 4,12,15,18,19 x $20 = 13.33%
Probably not going to be a huge dividend here, but the first and last legs are more open than they appear and the short priced favs are beatable. Can be confident and narrow down the third leg to 6-PERSIAN SPIRIT, 11-TENNESSEE BOUND and hope for a result in the other legs.
Feature Race Preview: RACE 8: MOIR STAKES 1000M GROUP1 WFA
Here we get to see the difference between a 1000M Group 1 run around a jump and run and lead tight MV circuit and a 1000M Group 1 on the spacious Sandown Hillside, which would be totally different races. Lots of drop back, strong finishing sprinters here, the 13-NATURAL FLING looks the likely leader but note she is drawn outside and will get trapped middle of the track in the straight coming out of the chute start, the 12-BAZABALL REWARDED sharing the lead and the 9-CAVALRY GIRL sitting just off them. Most of the rest of the field drop back and there is a crucial spot up for grabs for one of the backmarkers if they want to settle more forward today. Interesting that there are only two geldings and 11 fillies and mares in this field, so it’s a bit of a lopsided demographic.
Runner by Runner comments:
1-GIGA KICK has been proven time and time again at the top level and he is raced pretty sparingly these days. Handles wet tracs and won the Schillaci first-up last spring. Below par preparation earlier this year but that was all at the top level sprints and even though this is also a Group 1 it is probably easier. Tidy trial leading into his and think he is going to be suited to the big Sandown track and he tends to take a little bit of time to wind up – doubt he would win this race if it was held at MV. Class to win this. Strong chance.
2-ROTHFIRE is the evergreen Brisbane 9YO sprinter who has excellent fresh form (placed 8/14 first up), but all his best form recently has been up north and he really hasn’t figured during the Melbourne spring. Won a jump out as a lead up and he can probably take that critical gap behind the speed here. Drawn inside barrier and not sure that is best ground out of the chute start. Tends to pop up when you underestimate him, but happy to leave out today. No
3-SKYBIRD is a sprinting mare with a stack of ability, but just doesn’t seem to find the right races that allow her to win. She always drops well back and needs a fast tempo and for them to be able to run on – and she won the Lightning Stakes last year when first-up. One good trial leading into this and she raced at the top level last time in but didn’t show her best form. Outside barrier and another who is going to drop well back here. Hasn’t won for a while now but she has been racing at the top level. Has the class but probably want to see her back to her best before getting on. Risking.
4-GENEROSITY has been competitive around the Group 1 and Group 2 level over sprinting distances, without making you go wow. Won first-up over 1000M last time in when she sat handy. 1000M stats read OK, but has been tried out as far as 1600M as a 3YO. Two trials leading in are only fair and there doesn’t seem to be much betting interest for the leading Sydney stable here. Passing.
5-OLE DANCER has a fair bit of ability and has had some controversy in her racing pattern, which is normally on-speed but can also be ridden back with a strong finishing run. Form is all over longer distances though and her best form is all around 1400M. 1000M is really a specialist distance, so will be interesting to see what the market does with this one as the trainer normally knows what he is doing. She has been given warm-up runs early in her preparations before. Was scratched here two weeks ago so they may be wanting to avoid wet tracks. Not the right race Group 1 over 1000M. No
6-GEEGEES MISTRUTH can be a bit of a frustrating horse to follow, but she definitely has the ability. Group 1 winner and she has been competitive around this level a few times. Form stats look good for wet tracks, but that is mainly based on lower grade Tasmanian form, and her best recent form is all on dry tracks. Will drop back here over 1000M and that is a distance short of her best. Trial leading into this is worth watching, it was excellent, and not often they come from well back in the field to win under a hold in a trial. We were going to risk her first-up, but that trial has changed our mind and definitely want her in as a strong chance here. Strong chance.
7-MY GLADIOLA has shown herself to be a very competitive top level sprinter, but the 2 wins from 12 starts is starting to look a bit skinny. Second in the Lightning last time in, so right up to this level. Best runs have been down the straight. Strong trial leading into this on wet ground, but she is largely an unknown on wet tracks for race day and a definite query if the rain comes. She has a good draw here to sit just behind the speed and present at the right time so has to be respected. Chance.
8-POINT BARROW is very light raced and she has a sensational finishing burst when right. Been tried at Group 1 level before and been competitive enough. Really strong trial leading into this making good late ground. Would probably have no chance if this race was run at MV, but well suited over the Sandown Hillside 1000M. Bit of an unknown on a genuinely wet track. Outside barrier and will drop well back, they can kick out of the chute here and it can be hard for those running down the outside to catch them. Has the ability to win this. Chance.
9-CAVALRY GIRL seems like a different horse this time in and she has been absolutely flying. Previously she could be a bit weak at the end of her races, but she has now won four and finished second twice in her last six starts (and she should have won one of those as well). Wet track no issue for this one if the rain comes, and she looked in all sorts of trouble here last week trapped on the rails looking for a run – but love the way she took the gap when it came. Looks the likely leader here but she has shown now she can take a sit if need be. Strong chance.
10-HERECOMESTHESTAR is a pretty impressive strong finishing sprinter and she flew down the outside rail to run all over the top of them last start at Caulfield – but that was the racing pattern that day (hard against the outside rails). Given a break since then and prepared for this with a jump out win. She likes a fast speed and a track where they can run on and she may get both of those today. Outside barrier and will drop back in this. Just not sure over the 1000M first-up giving many of these specialist 1000M horse a head start, her best sprinting form is over slightly longer and she is out to Group 1 today. Passing, but look for her later in spring in something more suitable.
11-EXTRAGALACTIC is lightly raced and a potential sprinting star, and she only just missed a Group 1 Goodwood last campaign. Missed the run here two weeks ago when scratched because of a wet track and then very impressive jump out winner in between to keep her fitness up and get ready for this race. She was easy in the betting market before being scratched last start, and same again this week, $11 seems very generous odds but she has to be a query to run if the rain comes. She is likely to drop back from an inside barrier here, which would have been an issue at MV, but not so much at Sandown. On a track better side of soft she is right in this, but her odds will probably halve. Chance if she starts and gets conditions to suit.
12-BAZABALL REWARDED has been toughing it out most weeks over winter and she is a really honest on-speed sprinter. 1000M is her best distance and she loves a wet track. Has been beaten by the (9) last two starts, but fought out the finish strongly here last start to not be beaten far. Inside barrier is a plus, that may be the best going and she will sit handy here just behind the leaders and get every chance. 7 starts into this campaign and going up in class every start, but she has handled it well, but prefer place at Group 1. Should be in the finish somewhere though. Place.
13-NATURAL FLING is a flying early season 3YO with the big weight advantage here only carrying 50kgs. Led and kicked clear to win easily last start, but this is a very different race with a lot more early pressure. Handles wet tracks, but we could end up with a serious Sandown bog here if the maximum rain comes. Around MV you would love to be on this one, jump and run around the MV 1000M, think it is much tougher ask on the Sandown Hillside 1000M and they tend to race down the middle of the track coming off the rails from the chute start. Especially as she has drawn outside barrier so won’t get near the running rail. Think that sets the race up for something to run her down late. Clear favourite but think we want to take her on today, especially if we get a heavily rain affected track and tough going. Risking.
Summary:
We have 11 of the 13 runners here being fillies or mares so had to keep checking the gender each time we wrote the form comments. Hard to judge the racing pattern, especially from the chute start with rain on its way and wary there are a few clear leaders here who may kick clear on some of these backmarkers. So want to find something that will settle just behind the speed and keep in touch with the leaders and that looks to be the 1-GIGA KICK, he has the Group 1 class, handles it wet and really interesting to see what he can do at Sandown – he tends to take a while to wind up so suspect the track is going to be a big plus here. Want to push for the 6-GEEGEES MISTRUTH as the best roughie and the main danger here, yes she can be a bit slowly away and a bit hit and miss, but that trial was seriously good and she is right in this on her best form. The consistent 9-CAVALRY GIRL right in the finish with a perfect on-speed trail and we are happy to risk the 3YO favourite today, racing at Sandown, up in class with more pressure. Best place is the tough and consistent 12-BAZABALL REWARDED at whopping odds. Probably back the top pick straight out and have something each way on the roughie. Note that quite a few of the runners in this field are suspect on wet tracks and may be late scratchings with likely further track downgrades.
Race 1: 3-CIGNETTI, 1-KO PHANGAN, 6-GLIDE
Race 2: 9-TEL AVIV, 4-ILLYIVY, 2-CELESTIAL ZARA
Race 3: 7-SALUTED, 8-TRES MAGNIFIQUE, 3-THANKS GORGEOUS
Race 4: 6-NIC’S CHOICE, 11-QUEEN CHRISTINE, 3-CRUISERWEIGHT
Race 5: 10-PORTINARI, 6-GHANA’S AKAN, 4-PRETTY BABY
Race 6: 3-BLIND RAISE, 7-PUT TO THE SWORD, 5-WOLF GAP
Race 7: 12-TEN COMMANDMENTS, 7-PINSTRIPED, 2-EVAPORATE
Race 8: 1-GIGA KICK, 6-GEEGEES MISTRUTH, 9-CAVALRY GIRL
Race 9: 6-PERSIAN SPIRIT, 11-TENNESSEE BOUND, 2-HERE TO SHOCK
Race 10: 19-CASTLE ON HIGH, 15-SOMEWHERE, 4-STAY SILENT
