Sir Moments earns Group 1 start after Eagle Farm win

A last to first win by Sir Moments at Eagle Farm today in the Listed $100,000 Sirromet The Phoenix (1400m) has given trainer Steven O’Deaplenty of confidence leading up to next week’s Group 1 assignment.

Sir Moments

Sir Moments will head to the Group 1 JJ Atkins after taking out The Phoenix at Eagle Farm. Photo by Daniel Costello

Sir Moments made it two Listed wins in a row after winning at Doomben last start and O’Dea has no worries about backing up the Choisir two year old at Eagle Farm next Saturday in the Group 1 $500,000 Patinack Farm J.J. Atkins (1600m).

O’Dea is also looking forward to Sir Moments stepping up to 1600m after finishing strongly for Michael Cahill at the end of the 1400m today.

“He’s out of a Zabeel mare so he has a bit of stamina on his dam side, and as you’ve seen today the further the better,” O’Dea said.

“We’ve dodged the A graders going through to the big race with sort of one target at the end. It’s been good, he has learned along the way, a couple of victories now and I look forward to next week.”

Cahill had to go back to last from the outside barrier and was still last on the home turn before easing out into the middle of the track and running down Gyspy Diamond to score by a head with Cannyzing in third spot.

The John O’Shea trained Gyspy Diamond shot to the front at the 200m and made Sir Moments work over the final stages before he got the better of the filly in the final twenty metres.

Cahill was impressed with the winning effort and agrees that the 1600m will be right up his alley, saying that he will be very competitive next week.

“Good win. Had a little bit against him. I had to go back from a wide barrier, back last,” Cahill said.

“I had to wait a bit to get to the outside, really let go towards the last 200m. Did enough to say he’s going to be good chance next week.”

“He’s a promising colt, he’s out of a Zabeel mare, he should just keep going.”

Cahill said that the Sir Moments wasn’t completely comfortable on the slow track today and agreed with O’Dea that he would be better suited on a firmer track and hopes Brisbane gets some drying weather during the week.

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.