Trainer Steven O’dea is confident that the quick back-up will not be a problem for talented gelding Sir Moments in the Listed Daybreak Lover (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Sir Moments is chasing his second straight win in the 2014 Daybreak Lover at Eagle Farm this weekend. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Sir Moments recorded his maiden win at Group level with a fast-finishing victory in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1400m) at Eagle Farm last weekend and is set to back up seven days later for the first time since he finished seventh in the Group 1 J.J. Atkins (1600m) last year after winning the Listed The Phoenix a week prior.
O’dea told Racing Ahead that Sir Moments is a far more mature horse than he was at this time last year and he believes that the son of Choisir will be able to handle his second run in a week in the Daybreak Lover.
“He is definitely stronger constitution wise,” O’dea said.
“He has been a horse that could be a little bit sooky and he was a little bit of a baby, but he has strengthened up and matured.
“Even his run in the J.J. Atkins, he wasn’t beaten far and it was a good form race.
“He drew the inside and it was a slowly run race and it sort of turned into a sprint home, which doesn’t really suit a horse like him.”
Sir Moments was blocked for a run for the majority of the straight in the Queensland Guineas, but showed impressive acceleration in the final stages of the race to steal victory in a blanket finish.
O’dea feels that the Daybreak Lover will be a completely different style of race, with only 11 horses included in the field for the Listed event, and does not feel that the wide barrier draw will be an issue for the gelding, who he believes will be very tough to beat.
“It is obviously going to be a different race to what he was in last week, the field is a little bit smaller and going up to the mile you would probably expect that the tempo is going to be a little bit more casual than last week,” O’dea said.
“I am actually happy that he has drawn out a little bit and he will still go back a little bit, he is a better chaser, and at least drawing out a little bit if the tempo slackens he will have the opportunity to roll forward if he needs to.
“It was a really good win the other day and the rise up to the mile looks ideal for him.
“I expect him to be really hard to beat.”
Sir Moments ($3.40) is currently a narrow favourite in 2014 Dabybreak Lover betting markets from Liberty’s Choice ($3.80), Rough Copy ($5), Hopfgarten ($7) and Longma ($7).
