Skybird chases 2025 Moir Stakes win first-up

After months of patient rehabilitation, Mitchell Freedman’s star sprinter Skybird will resume in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley this Saturday.

Skybird has not raced since her Lightning Stakes triumph at Flemington in February, a win followed by a pectoral muscle injury. Since then, Freedman’s team has carefully pieced her back together with physio, vet care, and tailored shoeing. “We’re rapt to get her back… it’s been a big effort by the whole team,” Freedman said.

After a Sandown gallop, a trial at Caulfield Heath and a Horsham jump-out, the mare impressed again in a Valley hit-out on Tuesday. Freedman said the work confirmed she was ready to return. “She was really solid in that work, and she’s really tightened up since then.”

The trainer plans to keep her to sprint trips this campaign, with the Group 1 Manikato Stakes and possibly The Everest being considered. But Freedman emphasised Saturday’s race was about building momentum. “We had that pec injury coming out of the Lightning, so the most important thing is we want her to go out there and race really well, pull up well and then we’ll make plans for the rest of the spring.”

Drawn in barrier five, Skybird joins a full Moir Stakes field of 15 plus an emergency. “Usually, you come to the Moir and see a field of eight or 10,” Freedman said. “But with the anticipation mounting for an Everest slot, a lot of horses are wanting to take their chance.”