Ciaron Maher is looking forward to seeing a more rounded Estriella kick off a campaign he hopes will include a start in The Everest at Moonee Valley this Saturday.
The speedy four-year-old mare will resume in the $750,000 Group 1 Moir Stakes.
Her preparation for the 1000-metre weight-for-age event included an 800m trial at Cranbourne last Monday, which the daughter of I Am Invincible won by five lengths and convinced Maher she is ready to take that step.
“I’m rapt with her, she’s always been a little bit immature mentally and physically she’s still maturing as well and she’s grown up a lot and she’s developed,” Maher said.
“The other day in the trial she got around like a confident horse. Even though she was going quick, she was controlled.
“She looked like a very confident horse that’s made that step.”
Estriella, who has won half of her eight starts and hasn’t been to the races since her fifth placing in the Group 1 Sangster Stakes (1200m) on April 27, was one of 11 entries for the Moir Stakes.
Potential rivals include the past two winners of the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes, I Wish I Win and Chain Of Lightning, the Golden Slipper quinella of Lady Of Camelot and Coleman, plus Blue Diamond winner Hayasugi.
Estriella’s stablemate Bella Nipotina has also be nominated but is more likely to run in Sydney in the $1 million Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m).
Several of those nominated for the Moir Stakes are chasing a spot in the $20 million The Everest, the 1200m event at Randwick on October 19 Maher hopes to get to with Estriella.
“There are conversations going on (around obtaining a slot in The Everest), so I’m looking forward to the Moir and hopefully she can acquit herself well there,” Maher said.
“I haven’t worked out the path after the Moir, how I get there, so we’ll see how we go.
“The idea is to run well in the Moir and then the goal is hopefully The Everest.”
Blake Shinn, who rode Estriella to her three wins before the Sangster Stakes and is undefeated aboard the mare, will be reunited with her in the Moir Stakes.
