Petits Filous possible Moir Stakes candidate, no Champagne Stakes

Trainer Ciaron Maher is considering stepping unbeaten filly Petits Filous up to Group 1 company in the $450,000 City Jeep Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on October 2.

Petits Filous could be a surprise runner in the G1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

Petits Filous could be a surprise runner in the G1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

Petits Filous was among the nomination for the Group 3 $150,000 Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night but Maher decided against running her against the three year old fillies this weekend.

Maher tweeted on Wednesday morning that the four time winner could take on the Group 1 sprinters in the Moir Stakes or he might keep her against her own age in the Listed $350,000 Catanach’s Jewellers Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on October 14.

“Petits Filous won’t contest the Champagne Stakes on Saturday. Moir or Sapphire her next target,” Maher tweeted.

Petits Filous made it four wins from four starts with a dominant two and a quarter lengths victory in the Listed $120,000 Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on September 12.

At her previous start the Street Boss filly led all of the way to win the Group 3 $150,000 Lister Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 15 on the back of her two other wins at Moonee Valley in a 1000m two year old on July 15 and in a 1000m three year old fillies on August 1.

The non-acceptance of Petits Filous in the Champagne Stakes has left the David Hayes and Tom Dabernig trained Reemah the highest rated filly in the race, with Michael Walker to ride.

Reemah didn’t fare very well at the barrier draw coming up with gate ten in the field that has been reduced to eleven runners with the early scratching of the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Serene Majesty who was given the outside barrier.

The Lindsay Park Team will also saddle up last start Cranbourne maiden winner Hell Or Highwater who has drawn barrier three with Damian Lane to take over the reins from Damien Oliver.

The John O’Shea trained Antelucan is another who was out of luck at the barrier draw, coming up with the eleven marble with Dwayne Dunn to ride.

Premiership winning jockey Damien Oliver takes the ride on Secret Agenda who is stepping up from a mid-week win at Sandown in a BenchMark 70 Handicap on September 2 and has drawn well at gate five in the Champagne Stakes.

Top Adelaide trainer Lloyd Kennewell will head to Moonee Valley on Friday night with Viddora (barrier 8) who has won her last two starts at Morphettville with winning rider Joe Bowditch to ride again this weekend.

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.