Bel Sprinter heads a list of 12 nominations for Friday night’s $450,000 Moir Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley. It’s the inaugural running of the feature sprint at Group 1 level.  The Jason Warren trained gelding is unbeaten in five previous first up runs, including a devastating win in the Group 1 Galaxy (1100m) in Sydney during the autumn. He faces a stern task against a top-class lineup.

Defending Moir Stakes champion Buffering heads the list of potential opposition which also includes gun mare Snitzerland, who finished runner-up behind Bel Sprinter in The Galaxy.

Other key Moir nominations include dual Group 1 winning four-year-old Epaulette, 2012 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Samaready, Sir Rupert Clarke victor Moment Of Change and Stradbroke Handicap champion Linton.

A quality list of 16 entries has also been assembled for the $220,000 Group 2 City Jeep Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m), headed by the exciting colt Prince Harada.

Should trainer Tony Vasil opt to use the Stutt as a final BECK Caulfield Guineas lead up for the son of Haradasun, he could have to defeat a lineup that includes Cluster, San Diego, Shamus Award, Weinholt, Late Charge and Divine Calling.

The $200,000 Group 3 Alternate Railway J.R.A Cup (2040m) looms as a race that could have a significant bearing on the rest of the Spring Racing Carnival.

Among the 26 entries; 12 currently hold nominations for the BMW Caulfield Cup, including Oasis Bloom, Bass Strait and Lightinthenite, 11 are entered in the Emirates Melbourne Cup including Sangster, Mourayan and Gris Caro, while four hold a nomination for the Sportingbet Cox Plate including Mr Moet and Hornets’ Nest.

A further highlight on the program promises to be the $150,000 Group 3 TBV/Gallagher Bassett Champagne Stakes (1200m) which is headed by reigning Blue Diamond Stakes winner Miracles Of Life.

Despite tasting defeat for the first time in the McNeil Stakes at Caulfield in August, the Daniel Clarken-trained filly will no doubt have plenty of admirers back against her own age and sex.

Potential opposition trying to stop her bouncing straight back into the winner’s stall on Friday include The Huntress, Ruud Awakening, Thump, Bulbula, Metastasio and Tango’s Daughter.

The eight-race program also features the running of the first heat of the popular Essendon Mazda 55 Second Challenge (955m). which features 27 nominations led by defending series champion Vatican.

Click here to view the full list of nominations for Moonee Valley on Friday