THE long-awaited clash of proven colts Helmet, Smart Missile and Manawanui is set to eventuate in next month's Age Caulfield Guineas, but the trio might not have the $1 million classic to themselves, reports Andrew Eddy in The Age. His report adds: For on Friday night at Moonee Valley, a bolter like few others threatens to stake his claim. While Helmet, Smart Missile and last Saturday's Stan Fox Stakes winner Manawanui have been racing at the elite level, Peter Moody's little-known gelding Momen
THE long-awaited clash of proven colts Helmet, Smart Missile and Manawanui is set to eventuate in next month's Age Caulfield Guineas, but the trio might not have the $1 million classic to themselves, reports Andrew Eddy in The Age.
His report adds: For on Friday night at Moonee Valley, a bolter like few others threatens to stake his claim. While Helmet, Smart Missile and last Saturday's Stan Fox Stakes winner Manawanui have been racing at the elite level, Peter Moody's little-known gelding Moment Of Change has so far come through a maiden win at Murtoa and then a restricted class victory at Betfair Park.
Despite those modest wins, Moment Of Change is the third favourite at $5.50 for the Caulfield Guineas on October 8 behind Smart Missile ($3.30) and Helmet ($3.60) and in front of Manawanui ($7), but on Friday night he races to establish his credentials in the group 2 Bill Stutt Stakes over the Guineas trip of 1600 metres.
Moody, who won last year's Caulfield Guineas with Anacheeva and has already pencilled in this year's race for his talented colt Huegill, said yesterday that Moment Of Change had much to prove. ''He'd have to win comprehensively for us to even think about it at this stage,'' Moody said. ''He's a nice horse but you're talking a completely different scenario when you talk about the Guineas.
''It's his first racing prep and Friday night might end up being his grand final for the spring, so we're not looking too far ahead at all.''