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| Staff Writer |
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Acromantula, the speedy gelding, is set to end his Melbourne campaign on a high note by participating in the prestigious Gr.1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley. Trainer Ben Pearce, along with his brother and co-trainer Dan, carefully weighed their options and concluded that this race presented the best opportunity for Acromantula.
Moonee Valley's unique track has proven to be a happy hunting ground for the talented Acromantula. Just last month, he achieved a career-best victory in the Listed Carlyon Stakes, triumphing over his rivals in the 1000m race. Guided by jockey Craig Williams, Acromantula led the pack and comfortably secured a one-length victory, falling only slightly short of the track record set by Inundation the previous year.
Acromantula's impressive record includes a total of eight career victories. Notably, he claimed a commendable third place in a benchmark 100 contest in his first race, followed by a fifth-place finish to Imperatriz in the Gr.2 McEwen Stakes, both of which took place at Moonee Valley.
Acromantula Faces Tough Competition In Moir Stakes
While acknowledging the fierce competition that awaits Acromantula in the Moir Stakes, Ben Pearce admits that it will be a challenging Group one test. The race attracts some of Australia's finest sprinters, including the legendary Black Caviar, Nature Strip, and Miss Andretti. Nevertheless, Pearce and his team remain optimistic about Acromantula's chances and are eager to see him showcase his speed and skill.
“We were looking at a couple of races and even thought about going up to Sydney,” Ben Pearce told The Races WA.
“In the end we thought why not stay in Melbourne and race at Moonee Valley where he’s been successful before.
“Who knows how the track will play at Moonee Valley, if it’s on pace he could be right in it.
“The other point we had to consider is it will give him five weeks from the Moir to the Prince Of Wales at Ascot.
“If he could finish in the first three we would be over the moon.
“He’s already done his job though by winning the Carlyon Stakes, that’s the race we pinpointed.”
The Prince Of Wales Stakes, a 1000m race scheduled for 4th November, and the Colonel Reeves Stakes, an 1100m race taking place two weeks later at Ascot, are two important races that serve as lead-ups to the prestigious Gr.1 Winterbottom Stakes, which covers a distance of 1200m.
Acromantula, a 6YO racehorse, has achieved all of its eight career wins at the 1000m distance. However, there are concerns about its ability to handle the longer distance of Perth's premier sprint. Despite this, Pearce, Acromantula's trainer, believes that if the race conditions are favorable, the horse could still pose a threat to its competitors.