Trainer Robert Smerdon has revealed that talented sprinter Ability will resume in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Friday, September 29th.

Ability will resume in the Group 1 Moir Stakes at The Valley on Friday week. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Ability will resume in the Group 1 Moir Stakes at The Valley on Friday week. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Ability has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his entire racing career so far, but has undoubtedly found career-best form in 2017 and will take his place in the Moir Stakes field undefeated through four starts.

Having not been seen at the races since his smart win over Lankan Rupee in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Ladbrokes Park on August 6th, Smerdon revealed that the horse has been set for a run in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) on October 14th and will use the Moir Stakes as a tune-up.

“He’s going to wait and go to the Moir the following week,” Smerdon told Racing Victoria.

“It’s not the ideal race for him, but he’s had a freshen-up, and we’re heading towards the Schillaci over 1100m here on the same day as The Everest.

“On the basis that a lot of the headline sprinters will be in Sydney with The Everest and The Consolation, there’s a Group 2 race worth $400,000, so that’s his sort of target, and we thought the Moir was a better path into that so he’ll ease back to 1000m on Friday week.

“He’s thriving in the stable, very happy. I’d rather keep them ticking over than stopping completely.

“So we just reduced his workload. He had a jumpout last week to keep him up to the mark, and fitness-wise won’t be an issue.

“Class-wise, the Moir looks a red-hot race, but it’ll be a means to an end.”

Ability debuted for Smerdon during the winter of 2015 and has subsequently posted seven wins and a further four minors, through only sixteen competitive appearances.

Resuming this year for consecutive wins in a pair of Victorian metropolitan sprints over 1000m and 1100m respectively, the Reward For Effort gelding made an ideal return to black type company when an easy winner of the Listed All Victorian Sprint Final (1200m) on July 8th; his only other start prior to the Bletchingly Stakes.

Ability is currently available at Moir Stakes odds of $11 at Ladbrokes.com.au.

About The Author

Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.