Moonee Valley specialist Bella Vella has booked a place in the Moir Stakes with a dogged win in the Group 2 $200,000 Mitty’s McEwen Stakes (1000m) at The Valley today.

Bella Vella, above, was the winner of the McEwen Stakes at The Valley. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Adelaide trained Bella Vella made it three wins from four starts at The Valley and will now step out as one of the favourites for the Group 1 $1m Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on September 25.

Winning jockey Jamie Kah had Bella Vella in the first four from the jump and cruised up three wide on the home to make her challenge.

Bella Vella looked a wining chance half way down the straight and the Will Clarken trained mare was strong to the line to record a nose win over the $31 outsider Ashlor ($31).

Equal favourites Brooklyn Hustle ($3.80) and Hanseatic ($3.80) fought out the third and fourth spot.

Will Clarken had to watch the race from Morphettville in Adelaide but said that Bella Vella would return to The Valley for the Moir Stakes.

“The Moir is definitely the next step,” Clarken said.

“It was good to see her come off them today. As time has gone by this mare just gets more relaxed and I think to win a Group 1 like the Moir around there , she has to be divisible.”

“She might have to get off them a little bit and to see her do that and have a change of gear like she did today, it was fantastic.”

“She has gone well today but here is definitely some fitness to come.”

Bella Vella is listed as an $11 chance for the Moir Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au.