Moody looking for change of luck in Winterbottom Stakes

Melbourne’s premier trainer Peter Moody is hoping for a change of luck when he saddles up Moment Of Change in the Group 1 $500,000 Crown Perth – Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday.

Moment Of Change is nosed out by Shamexpress in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.

Moment Of Change, black cap, is nosed out by Shamexpress, pink cap, in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.

So far this Spring Moody hasn’t visited the Group 1 winner’s stall but will travel to Perth with confidence of picking up a Group 1 prize with Moment Of Change who has been racing consistently over the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Moment Of Change collected two Group 1 fourths at Moonee Valley in the $450,000 Programmed Moir Stakes (1200m) and the $1m Sportingbet Manikato Stakes (1200m) before running third to Buffering in the Group 1 $1m VRC Sprint Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 9.

Moody is also taking Plucky Belle to Perth for the Group 1 $1m Carlton Draught – Railway Stakes (1600m) after the mare won the Group 3 $200,000 Lavazza Short Black (1400m) at Flemington on November 5.

“Moment Of Change has held his form and Plucky Belle is absolutely flying,” Moody told AAP.

Moody knows that Moment Of Change will have to be at the top of his game when he lines again against Buffering after the Queenslander made it back to back Group 1 wins in the VRC Sprint.

“Moment Of Change is going to need luck to beat Buffering but he has always been in the mix in those sorts of races,” Moody said.

“You’ve got to be in it to win it, you’re not going to have luck at home.”

Moment Of Change scored his maiden Group 1 win over twelve months ago in the $400,000 Clamms Seafood Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield and has been placed on three occasions since.

Apart from his last start third to Buffering, he was runner up to his illustrious stable mate Black Caviar in the 2013 Group 1 $500,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m), then the Barely A Moment gelding was beaten a nose by Shamexpress in the Group 1 $1m Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m), both at Flemington in the Autumn.

Buffering heads up the betting for the Winterbottom Stakes at $2.60 with the local hero Barakey the second pick at $4.80 while Moment Of Change is a $6.50 chance just ahead of Power Princess at $7.50.

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.