Connections have confirmed that talented sprinter Moment Of Change is set to contest the 2014 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot next Saturday.
Moment Of Change will have the chance to record another Group 1 victory in the 2014 Winterbottom Stakes. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Moment Of Change was included in the nominations for both the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) and the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m), but the Barley A Moment gelding will run in the Group 1 sprint after he featured a credible fifth behind Terravista in the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Managing co-owner Rob Slade was happy with the way that Moment Of Change performed in the Darley Classic and he believes that the six-year-old is a genuine chance of recording a fourth win at Group 1 level in the Winterbottom Stakes after finishing a close second behind Buffering in the race last year, while the gelding could remain in Perth for the Scahill Stakes (1400m) at Ascot a fortnight later.
“We feel he ran at least as well as last year and actually ran faster time,” Slade told TVN yesterday.
“It was a hot race alright.
“I’m told the locals are smart but not exceptional so he’ll be very competitive we’re hoping.
“History tells us he’s better around a bend so he might have a good few weeks in the west with a bit of luck.”
Moment Of Change took out the Group 1 Orr Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield during the 2014 Melbourne Festival Of Racing, but he is yet to record a race win during his spring preparation.
The triple Group 1 winner resumed with a tough second behind Hard Stride carrying 62 kilograms in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 16, but tore muscles in his hindquarters when he finished at the tail of the field in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at the same venue on August 30.
Trainer Peter Moody was worried that the injury would rule Moment Of Change out of the rest of the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival, but he surprised with his quick recovery from the injury and he returned to the races with a close eighth behind Lankan Rupee in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 24 before his fifth place finish in the Darley Classic.
Moment Of Change is currently available at 2014 Winterbottom Stakes odds of $6 and he is on the second line of betting behind talented sprinter Angelic Light.
