2023 Moir Stakes Betting & Tips

The Feature Race: 2023 Moir Stakes

The Moir Stakes is one of the leading sprint races in the run up to the full Melbourne Spring Carnival.  Run under weight-for-age conditions for open class sprinters aged 3yrs and older. The race unfolds over a rapid-fire 1000m, offering an exciting spectacle of speed and agility, with the added element of being run under the lights as part of the Spring / Summer night racing season at Moonee Valley Racecourse.. Boasting a generous prize pool of $750,000, we delve into the rich history and distinguished pedigree of this dynamic race.

Where to Bet

Engaging in the thrill of the Moir Stakes involves making your picks and placing your bets. Fortunately, an extensive range of Australian bookmakers is available to cater to your betting needs, offering markets for this prestigious sprint race. For your convenience, we've curated a list of five highly-recommended Australian bookmakers that might serve as the perfect platform for your wagering on the 2023 Moir Stakes.

How to Bet: Moir Stakes and Beyond

Betting on the Moir Stakes and other Group 1 Australian thoroughbred horse races can truly demonstrate your prowess in the racing arena. The betting market offers an array of options, from simple fixed win or place bets to the more intricate exotic wagers. Whether you're drawn towards multis, exotics, or have a preference for specific jockeys or the most popular bets of the day, our detailed guide will assist you in making well-informed betting choices. Keep an eye out for our upcoming "How to Bet" section that will offer essential insights into the variety of wagers available for the Moir Stakes and other prominent Australian races.

The Venue 

As we explore the enthralling Moir Stakes, we must not overlook the venue that has been home to this exciting race since its inception - the Moonee Valley Racecourse. This distinctive course, celebrated for its unique shape and electrifying racing atmosphere, provides an exceptional setting for some of the most thrilling contests in Australian horse racing. Situated in the Melbourne suburb of Moonee Ponds, Moonee Valley Racecourse is more than a racecourse; it's a testament to Australia's rich racing culture. We delve into the specifics of this renowned venue, its unique attributes, and its crucial role in hosting the Moir Stakes.

The History of the Race

The Moir Stakes is considerably younger than some of the true bastions of the Australian racing calendar, but nonetheless it has a history that is worth some consideration.  First run in 1976, we take a look at some of the key milestones along the way that have evolved into the race that it is today.  

Previous Winners of the Moir Stakes

There have been some notable racing legends that have won the Moir Stakes over the course of its history - not least in this century with the likes of Miss Andretti, Black Caviar, Buffering and Nature Strip all saluting over this short sprint under the lights at Moonee Valley.  We’ll include in this preview a complete list of every winner.

Date: Friday 29 September
Time: TBA
Prize Money: $750,000

Slated for Friday, September 29, 2023, under the lights at Moonee Valley, the 2023 Moir Stakes serves as a vital launching pad for some of Australia's finest sprinters to display their prowess with the full Spring Carnival on the horizon.

With a substantial $750,000 prize pool on offer for contenders, it is a significant race to win in its own right, though it's reasonable to say that for many it is a stepping stone towards larger rewards available later in the carnival.

That said, 1st place walks away with $450,000, divided between owners, trainer, and jockey, and prize money is paid out all the way down to 8th place. For the full prize money allocation, see below:

Since the line-up for the 2023 Moir Stakes has not yet been announced, and there are currently no available future odds from leading Australian thoroughbred horse racing bookmakers, this preview will not provide tips or in-depth analysis on the competitors racing at Moonee Valley on September 29, 2023. Instead, let's take a moment to reflect on the 2022 Moir Stakes results, particularly the top 5 finishers, and a brief review of their performance. To peruse a comprehensive list of every victor in the race's history spanning several decades, please refer to the "Past Winners of the Moir Stakes" section at the end of this preview.

1. Coolangatta: Returned to her top form on Friday night, claiming her first top-tier triumph. From barrier one, Coolangatta started well and managed to get ahead and maintain the lead, with Kah masterfully managing the filly's pace. Coolangatta was then able to accelerate around the turn to gain a lead, before successfully resisting the late surge from her stablemate, Bella Nipotina. 
2. Bella Nipotina: An exceptionally courageous performance from a mare capable of winning at this level. From her wide starting position, Bella Nipotina positioned herself in the middle of the pack and endured being three-wide during the entire race. She then finished with notable strength, only just losing out to the stablemate to whom she was yielding 6.5kg. 
3. Zoustyle: Another spirited performance at The Valley from this Queenslander. From barrier nine, Zoustyle had to exert early effort to get on speed, finding himself three-wide for the first part of the race. Despite the distance he covered, he continued to battle vigorously to secure a third-place finish. 
4. Generation: Definitely one of the unlucky brigade as he sat behind the leaders in the run but struggled for running room when the race was really on towards the finish.  Hard to say he should have one but definitely could have got closer.
5. Rothfire: Rothfire sat off the pace, having withdrawn from the initial speed clash. He did find himself somewhat cramped for running room during the final stages of the race, but he never really showed that he had the speed to challenge those that finished ahead of him. 

Place, Race Number, Horse Name, Time /  Margin Back  (check breednet.com.au for times - and ladbrokes.com.au for margins)

Let’s hope that the 2023 edition of the Moir Stakes lives up to the excitement of 2022, but whatever the case make sure you set aside Fri 29 September to watch the excitement unfold this time round.  

The 2023 Moir Stakes promises to be a thrilling Group 1 race hosted at Moonee Valley. Although this preview does not include the confirmed runners, we can provide insights on how to choose the best bookmaker for placing your bets on the race. With the numerous Australian bookmakers available, selection can be daunting, but our recommendations aim to simplify this process by suggesting a handful of dependable options. Prior to delving into these suggestions, it is paramount to study the final field of runners for the Moir Stakes, which will be announced on Tuesday 26 September, and decide on your preferred runner(s).

An essential aspect to mull over when choosing a bookmaker is the odds they offer. It may necessitate some extra work, but browsing multiple bookmakers and comparing the odds they furnish for your chosen market can assist in identifying which bookie provides the most favourable odds. By opting for the bookmaker presenting the highest odds, your potential returns are maximised. A comprehensive list of Australian bookmakers that feature Group 1 thoroughbred horse racing markets can be found on our Bookmaker Reviews page.

Your personal comfort with a specific bookmaker is another factor worth considering. Many Australian punters prefer to bet with bookmakers they're accustomed to, often because of the app or website they frequently use. It's entirely rational to stick with a bookmaker that you feel at ease placing bets with. Our Bookmaker Reviews page includes information on the dependability of each bookie, which can support you in making an informed choice.

Bookmaker promotions also bear significance in the selection process. Visit our OnlyRacing Promotions page to view the variety of bonuses and promotions offered by various Australian bookmakers for depositing with them. Some bookies might run unique promotions for the Moir Stakes, so exploring those options is worthwhile.

Ultimately, there is no absolute method for selecting a bookmaker for the 2023 Moir Stakes. The three tips above offer valid considerations. It's paramount to bet with a trustworthy bookmaker and provide any necessary verification details prior to placing your bets. Below, we have featured an excerpt from our OnlyRacing Reviews page, highlighting five Australian bookmakers that cater to markets for Group 1 thoroughbred races nationwide. By clicking the hyperlinks, you can access comprehensive information about each bookmaker's services.

Bear in mind, the ultimate goal is to select a bookmaker that aligns with your personal requirements and preferences, ensuring a pleasant and secure betting experience for the 2023 Moir Stakes.

Situated just 6km northwest of Melbourne CBD, Moonee Valley Racecourse is a unique metropolitan venue nestled in the suburb of Moonee Ponds. The racecourse was established in 1883 by William Sam Cox and is home to the illustrious Moonee Valley Racing Club. Mr. Cox, the club's first secretary, had the honour of having one of Australia's most prestigious weight-for-age races, the WS Cox Plate, named after him in 1922.

The racecourse itself is distinct in its compact design. Spanning a rectangular circumference of only 1805m with a short home straight of merely 173m, it is one of Australia's smallest metropolitan courses. Races at Moonee Valley are run over distances from 1000m to 3000m, with the course's structure allowing for a long chute dissecting the course for 1000m races and a short chute for 1200m races.

Despite its size, the close proximity of the crowd to the track creates an electric atmosphere, with most races witnessing horses starting their runs after the 800m turn. This feature gives a significant advantage to those close to the lead when entering the short home straight.

Moonee Valley played host to Melbourne's major harness racing events in the 1970s, with an 800m track inside the turf course, though harness racing here ceased in 2010 with the opening of the Melton harness racing complex.

The course has consistently been a pioneer in Australian racing. It boasts the country's first Strathayr all-weather course - a turf surface built on a sand/mesh base, which drastically reduces races run on heavy tracks. Moonee Valley was also the first metropolitan race club in Australia to introduce night racing, a concept that took off in 1998.

Day and night race meetings are conducted throughout the season at Moonee Valley. The night racing season spans from September to April, with many nights featuring headline races.

An impressive $150 million redevelopment of the racecourse has been announced by the Moonee Valley Racing Club. The revamp will include changes to the course design, a 90-degree rotation of the course, and the relocation of existing grandstands to accommodate commercial and residential development.

Moonee Valley is notably the venue for the WS Cox Plate, the main 2040m race known as the Weight-For-Age Championship of Australasia. The race has been won by numerous racing greats since its inception in 1922, including legends like Phar Lap, Sunline, Makybe Diva, and the record-breaking Winx.

Additionally, the racecourse also hosts other Group 1 sprint races, such as the Moir Stakes, Manikato Stakes, and William Reid Stakes. Despite its compact size, the racecourse's history, innovation, and legacy have cemented its place in Australia's racing lore.

The Moir Stakes, named in honour of former Moonee Valley Racing Club chairman AJ Moir, is a standout Group 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for open class sprinters at the iconic Moonee Valley racecourse. Conducted annually by the Moonee Valley Racing Club, the race is a key highlight of the spring night racing meetings, typically held in late September or early October each season.

With its origins tracing back to 1976, this 1000m sprint was first won by Scamanda. Interestingly, the race extended its distance to 1200m for seven years until 2014 before returning to the traditional 1000m in 2015. This sprint was initially run on Cox Plate day but was moved to pre-AFL Grand Final day in 2013, and at the same time it was promoted to Group 1 status, further elevating its prestige.

The Moir Stakes has seen many greats grace its turf over the years. Among the standouts are Manikato in 1982, Apache Cat in 2009, and the incomparable Black Caviar, who clinched the title twice. One remarkable contender, Buffering, ran in five consecutive Moir Stakes, winning three and finishing second in another.

Fillies and mares have left an indelible mark on the Moir Stakes. In the past 20 years, they have won it 10 times, including a trifecta in 2017, and 4 out of the top 5 positions in both 2018 and 2020.

This event serves as a potent springboard for other prominent races. Notably, since the advent of The Everest, the world's richest turf race, contenders from the Moir Stakes, whether winners or placegetters, have been chosen for every running at Randwick. For instance, 2019 saw Nature Strip win the Moir Stakes, place 4th in the Everest, and later claim the VRC Sprint Classic.

The Moir Stakes also offers a generous purse. As of 2022, the race was worth $1,000,000, although it was reduced slightly to $750,000 ahead of the 2023 edition.

Undeniably, the Moir Stakes has become an integral part of Australia's racing calendar. Alongside it, Moir Stakes Night features other prominent races, including the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, Group 2 Stocks Stakes, and the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes for three-year-old fillies, further solidifying its place in the annals of racing history.

• 2022: Coolangatta
• 2021: Wild Ruler
• 2020: Pippie
• 2019: Nature Strip
• 2018: Viddora
• 2017: She Will Reign
• 2016: Extreme Choice
• 2015: Buffering
• 2014: Buffering
• 2013: Samaready
• 2012: Buffering
• 2011: Black Caviar
• 2010: Black Caviar
• 2009: Apache Cat
• 2008: Lucky Secret
• 2007: Miss Andretti
• 2006: California Dane
• 2005: Virage De Fortune
• 2004: Bomber Bill
• 2003: Our Egyptian Raine
• 2002: Spinning Hill
• 2001: Mistegic
• 2000: Falvelon
• 1999: Magic Music
• 1998: Show No Emotion
• 1997: Al Mansour
• 1996: Spartacus
• 1995: Quality Gold
• 1994: Sequalo
• 1993: Sports Works
• 1992: Schillaci
• 1991: With Me
• 1990: With Me
• 1989: †Good Old Ted / Clay Hero
• 1988: Scarlet Bisque
• 1987: Placid Ark
• 1986: Special
• 1985: Aquilone
• 1984: Foystaan
• 1983: Bold Jet
• 1982: Manikato
• 1981: Bold Prospect
• 1980: Victoria Peak
• 1979: †The Judge / Grey Sapphire
• 1978: The Judge
• 1977: Tetranate
• 1976: Scamanda