Big track to suit Sir Moments in Tails Stakes

The spacious Sunshine Coast track will suit the back in-form Sir Moments when he steps out in the Listed $100,000 Montrose Therapy & Respite Services Tails Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.

Sir Moments will appreciate the spacious Sunshine Coast track when he contests the Tails Stakes. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Sir Moments will appreciate the spacious Sunshine Coast track when he contests the Tails Stakes. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Sir Moments was back in the winner’s stall for the first time in twelve months with a last to first win in the $60,000 QPOS Open Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on April 9 and trainer Steven O’Dea said that he would be better suited on the bigger stretches at Caloundra.

“I have always felt the big tracks like Eagle Farm are his go,” O’Dea told AAP.

“He has never raced at Caloundra which is also a big track but it should suit him very nicely.

“He will be able to race a bit closer and then wind up in the straight.”

Sir Moments has drawn barrier seven in the fifteen horse Tails Stakes field and will be ridden again by Paul Hammersley who has been aboard the five year old at his three runs this preparation.

The Choisir gelding was having is first run for eleven months when second to Casual Choice over 1200m at the Gold Coast on March 12 before finishing fourth as favourite to Aldini in a 1350m Doomben Handicap on March 26.

Sir Moments was the winner of the Tails Stakes last year when run over 1630m at Doomben before running a close second to Leebaz in the Group 2 $358,000 Sky Thoroughbred Central A.D. Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on Anzac Day.

O’Dea is yet to finalise Sir Moments Winter Carnival program and is still deciding if he is to pursue a course towards the Group 1 $650,000 The Bundaberg Rum Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben on May 21 or stick to the sprinting distance and head towards the Group 1 $2m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 11.

The Eagle Farm trainer will also saddle up the recently acquired Kurtley in the Tails Stakes with Robbie Fradd to ride from barrier nine.

Sydney Autumn Carnival Group 1 winning trainer James Cummings has accepted with Lunar Rise who will jump from gate eleven with Blake Spriggs in the saddle.

Lunar Rise will have five weeks in between runs and comes to Queensland after finishing sixth to Artistry in the Group 3 $125,000 Newcastle Newmarket Handicap (1350m) at Rosehill on March 19.

Locally trained last start Doomben winner My Quilter has drawn the outside of field with apprentice Sarah Eilbeck retaining the ride while the Helen Page trained Adorabeel came up with the rails with Jim Byrne booked to ride.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.