For owner Kevin Payne, the Group 1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley will be the spring shaping race for his high-quality mare Estriella.
The 1000m sprint on Saturday will show Payne whether the four-time winner from eight career starts has made the step from three-year-old company to tackling older horses in a Group 1 sprint.
Payne is excited at the prospects of seeing his colours go around on Saturday with The Everest at Randwick next month the big carrot, although a slot is yet to be confirmed.
“There have been a few people ask about The Everest, but we’ve got to get the Moir out of the way first,” Payne said.
“If she doesn’t do the job in the Moir, the phone will stop ringing. If she does win the Moir, we’ll have a few decisions to make.
“So, it’s a big day on Saturday, there’s no doubt about that, but I think this is the race she should be winning and then after that each step is different.”
Estriella drew barrier eight in the nine-horse field for Saturday’s 1000m, which left Payne disappointed, but jockey Blake Shinn happy with the outcome.
Shinn drove to Cranbourne to gallop Estriella for trainer Ciaron Maher on Tuesday morning before heading to Moonee Valley for gallops and then later on to Benalla for an afternoon of racing.
Payne had hoped to draw barrier three and use the mare’s speed to dictate Saturday’s race, but he is also looking forward to seeing Estriella out to 1200m.
“We’ve heard about Johnny Rocker and Hayasugi going to be better at 1200 metres, but I think we’re going to be better at 1200 metres as well,” Payne said.
“I think at the 1000 metres, we’re a lot more suited than a lot of our opposition and we’re ready to go, but I haven’t helped drawing barrier eight.
“Blake likes it out, but I would have preferred to have drawn in.
“I expect to win, but there are eight other horses in the race, but I wouldn’t be swapping her for any other horse in the race.”
Payne said there had been early talk of a trip to Royal Ascot for Estriella next year, but at this stage that is the furthest thing from his mind.
“It’s not on may radar, but I think it’s on a lot of other people’s radar,” Payne said.
“Let’s get the Moir out of the way and see how she goes.
“She’s shown enormous potential and ability against her own age, but she’s now got to do it at the next level and if she does that, it may well be on the cards.
“She’s got a bit of work to do to catch up to the mighty Hitotsu. He was a superstar and is doing a mighty job at Arrowfield now, but she’s the most exciting horse, in terms of speed, that I’ve had.”
After Tuesday’s barrier draw Estriella was installed the bookmakers $2.60 market leader ahead of I Wish I Win ($4.20) and Lady Of Camelot ($4.60).
Johnny Rocker is the $21 outsider of the nine acceptors, and trainer Nick Ryan was delighted with gate three.
“It’s perfect,” Ryan said.
“I’m not sure about one or two, but three’s ideal.
“He galloped with a lead horse, and we were very pleased with his work here this morning and he’s taken a lot of improvement from his trial.”
