Saturday’s Warwick Farm winner Moment Of Change heads Peter Moody’s Epsom Handicap assault which attracted 101 entries when nominations closed today for the $500,000 1600m Randwick Group 1 feature on October 6.
Moment Of Change cruised to victory in the Listed Show County Quality and has been nominated for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap. Photo by: Steve Hart
Moment Of Change was having his first start since winning at Caulfield in April over 1400m and cruised to victory in the Listed $100,000 Show County Quality (1200m).
“He didn’t have a good preparation last time so it’s good to start off like this,” Moody’s Sydney stable representative Clare Cunningham said.
“There are a few options but the main goal here is the Epsom.”
“Then possibly he could go to Melbourne for the Toorak Handicap and the Cox Plate if he gets that far.”
Moody’s other Epsom nominations are Chateau Marcaux, Blackie and Queensland Derby winner Brambles who has recovered from travel sickness and the stable is hoping the four year old will come to hand quickly to be competitive in the Spring.
Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller’s ten Epsom entries are headed by proven Group 1 performers Rangirangdoo, Danleigh and Shoot Out.
Danleigh resumed last Saturday at Warwick Farm with a very encouraging third to Pinwheel in the Group 2 $175,000 Pro-Ride Warwick Stakes (1400m) and is on target for the rest of the Spring.
Waller said not to dismiss the nine year old even though he had a minor throat operation while out spelling.
‘He’ll be right now. Forget his age, he has got more racing to do,” Waller said.
Rangirangdoo and AJC Derby winner Shoot Out are ready to return for the Spring after barrier trialling at Rosehill last week.
Even though Waller was thinking of stepping Rangirangdoo up to 2400m, the premiership trainer has also nominated him for the his favourite distance of the 1600m Epsom.
“He will be nominated for both the Epsom and the Metropolitan,” Waller said.
“I think this spring might be the time to try him over the longer trip.”
Gai Waterhouse has also a strong contingent for the Epsom with sixteen nominated headed by her glamour mare More Joyous.
Also among Waterhouse’s entries are recent Rosehill winner Kontiki Park and last Saturday’s impressive Warwick Farm winner Strawberry Boy and promising ‘miler’ Niagara.
Last’s year Epsom winner Secret Admirer is among this year’s nominations but trainer Grahame Begg hinted that the mare might be heading to Melbourne after one more Sydney run after finishing a solid first up second to Pinwheel on Saturday.
”They’ve got to run well in this race if they are going to be serious contenders over the spring carnival,” Begg said.
“Warwick Farm probably doesn’t suit her either, but with Randwick out of play we’ll be back here in two weeks for the Chelmsford and then she is likely to head to Melbourne.”
