The 2015 William Reid Stakes field has been released and a competitive field of 14 sprinters are set to contest the Group 1 event at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Rebel Dane is set to return to racing in the 2015 William Reid Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart
Rebel Dane has not been seen at the races since he finished a credible seventh behind Terravista in the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 8, but he is set to make his return to racing in the William Reid Stakes after performing strongly in a barrier trial at Warwick Farm on March 12.
The California Dane entire has not recorded a race win since he took out the 2013 edition of the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m), but he has a strong first-up record and he has previously performed well without winning at Group 1 level at Moonee Valley.
Another talented sprinter that will be returning to racing in the William Reid Stakes is Robbie Griffiths-trained Angelic Light.
Angelic Light has developed a reputation as somewhat of a Moonee Valley specialist after taking out the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) and finished a close second behind Lankan Rupee in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at the venue during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival.
The Holy Roman Emperor mare has a strong first-up record and will have every possible chance to record a maiden win at Group 1 level after drawing ideally in barrier four.
Fontelina was narrowly denied victory in the 2014 William Reid Stakes by Spirit Of Boom and he will have the opportunity to go one better in the 2015 edition of the Group 1 event.
The Testa Rossa gelding has not been seen at the races since his narrow William Reid Stakes defeat, but trainer Anthony Cummings is happy with the condition of the six-year-old heading into his first-up assignment.
Three-year-old fillies have an excellent record in the William Reid Stakes and Group 1 winner Earthquake will have the opportunity to continue that tradition after being included in the field for the $400,000 event.
Earthquake started her 2015 Melbourne Festival Of Racing campaign with a tenth place finish in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 28, but she produced an improved performance when she finished a close second in the Listed MSS Security Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on March 14.
Another sprinter that will be backing up from the Oakleigh Plate is John Sadler-trained Vain Queen, who made her return to racing with a fourth place finish in the Group 1 event.
Vain Queen will be having just her second start at Moonee Valley in the William Reid Stakes, but she showed that she was capable of handling the tricky venue when she took out the Dominant Handicap in June of last year.
The 2015 William Reid Stakes field is rounded out by BTC Cup winner Famous Seamus (barrier 12), veteran galloper Bel Sprinter (barrier 10), the resuming Lucky Hussler (barrier two), Moonee Valley specialist It Is Written (barrier eight), David Brideoake-trained Griante (barrier 11), speedy mare Girl Guide (barrier 13), the talented Peron (barrier one), promising colt Galaxy Pegasus (barrier five) and the lightly-raced Vezalay (barrier six).
