Future Group 1 performer Moss ‘N’ Dale is ready to mix it with the best when he lines up in Saturday’s Group 1 $500,000 Ladbrokes C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

Moss 'N' Dale, above, is ready to step up to Group 1 company in the 2019 C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Jenny Barnes.

Moss ‘N’ Dale, above, is ready to step up to Group 1 company in the 2019 C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Jenny Barnes.

Moss ‘N’ Dale was the winner of his last three starts before he went for a post Spring spell and trainer Peter Gelagotis believes the six year old is a future Group 1 star and will be very competitive against some tough weight for age company on the weekend.

“He has the ability to mix it with the best,” Gelagotis told the Herald Sun.

“I think over 2000m he will be a Group 1 horse. On Saturday it wouldn’t surprise me if finished in the placings.

“I’m sure he’ll finish off strongly, and then it’s into the All-Star Mile.”

Gelagotis is also eyeing off the $5m All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington on March 16 and Moss ‘N’ Dale looks certain to gain a start and is currently in fourth position on the leader board with 3,118 votes on Tuesday morning on February 5.

Voting for runners to gain a start in the All-Star Mile concludes on February 18.

“He’ll go into that race second-up and he’s undefeated second-up,” Gelagotis said.

Moss ‘N’ Dale’s 2018 Spring Carnival hat trick kicked off with a win in a 1600m Handicap at The Valley on September 8 followed by a win in the Listed $100,000 Tokyo City Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on September 22.

Gelagotis then headed to Sydney where Moss ‘N’ Dale scored a comfortable win in the Group 3 $500,000 Craven Plate (2000m) at Randwick on October 13.

“In the Craven Plate he defeated several Group 1 winners, which to me shows he belongs at that level,” Gelagotis said.

“He ran a quick time when he won at Flemington over 1400m.”

“Also he finished second to the subsequent Group 2 winner Magic Consol in the Winter Championship and all of those runs were on firm tracks.”

Early betting for the C. F. Orr Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au have Moss ‘N’ Dale marked at $31 for his first attempt at Group 1 level while the James Cumming trained Kementari is the $3 favourite ahead of Land Of Plenty at $5 and Whispering Brook at $7.

Early betting for the 2019 C.F. Orr Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3 Kementari, $5 Land Of Plenty, $7 Whipsering Brook, $11 Fifty Stars, $13 Avilius, D’Argento, Shillelagh, $14 Brave Smash, $16 Fell Swoop, Redkirk Warrior, $21 Best Of Days, $31 Material Man, Moss ‘N’ Dale, $51 Ace High, Bring Me Roses, Holbien, Manuel, $81 Mask Of Time, $101 Missrock, Rock ‘N’ Gold, So Si Bon, Star Exhibit.

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.