A quality lineup has been assembled for the final Group 1 race in Victoria this season, the $400,000 Group 1 Hacer Group William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday. Fawkner will carry the number one saddlecloth, with the Caulfield Cup champion one of three Group 1 winners in the ten horse field.
Not seen since a fast-finishing sixth in the Emirates Melbourne Cup, the six-year-old will be looking to go two better than when he finished third behind champion mare Black Caviar at her final Victorian start in last year’s William Reid.
Drawn in the outside (10) barrier for Craig Williams, the son of Reset will likely have to have to produce a brilliant first up performance should he hope to add to his already impressive fresh record.
Heading the list of opposition is classy dual Group 1-winning mare Samaready, who will out to replicate her stunning victory over the track and distance in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1200m) in September.
Set to begin from the inside barrier (one) for regular jockey Craig Newitt, the Mick Price-trained four-year-old heads into the race as the equal-highest rated runner on the official handicapper ratings alongside Fawkner.
The other runner looking to add to their Group 1 tally in the race is 2013 Newmarket Handicap (1200) winner Shamexpress, who has drawn barrier seven for champion hoop Damien Oliver.
Though Queensland sprinter Spirit Of Boom is yet to break through at the highest level, it’s doubtful there’s a horse heading into the race with better form.
Runner-up behind Lankan Rupee in both the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at his last two-starts, the six-year-old has finished in the first four at the highest level on eight occasions.
Should the Tony Gollan-trained entire hope to finally break his Group 1 drought, jockey Michael Rodd will have to overcome barrier eight.
Two fillies add an extra dimension to the contest, with Oakleigh Plate fourth placegetter Gregers drawing barrier nine for Chad Schofield and last-start Group 2 Surround Stakes (1400m) victor Thump coming up with gate four for Jimmy Cassidy.
Other William Reid Stakes barriers draws include back-to-back Group 2 Yellowglen Stakes (1200m) winner Fontelina (barrier six), track specialist It Is Written (two), Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m) victor Unpretentious (three) and two-time Flemington winner Gig (five).
Another highlight on Friday’s eight-race program promises to be the $220,000 Group 2 Sportingbet Sunline Stakes (1600m).
2013 Australian Guineas (1600m) runner-up You’re So Good heads the competitive 14 horse field, with the Nigel Blackiston-trained four-year-old making her first appearance over the course and distance since an impressive all-the-way win in the Listed Alexandra Stakes (1600m) on this program 12 months ago.
Other key runners include Group 3 Summoned Stakes (1500m) winner Floria, last-start Group 3 Schweppervescence Trophy (1600m) runner-up Text’n Hurley and classy mare Hi Belle, who will be retired following Friday’s run.
Further highlights on the final meeting of the Moonee Valley night racing season include Listed Alexandra Stakes (1600m), which features emerging star Solicit taking on a strong line up of fillies as she searches for a third-straight Stakes victory, as well as a Black-type quality field, headed by dual Group 1 winning mare Platelet, that will be out to lower Minaj’s series leading time of 55.36 seconds in the final heat of this season’s Essendon Mazda 55 Second Challenge Series. (www.racingvictoria.net.au)
Click here to view the full fields, form and barriers for Moonee Valley on Friday