La Dorada in Group 1 dash first-up in 2025 Moir Stakes
Star Kiwi filly La Dorada will get her chance to prove herself against Australia’s best sprinters when she contests Saturday’s Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
Winner of the Karaka Millions and the Sires’ Produce Stakes as a two-year-old, La Dorada arrives with an imposing record of three wins from four outings. While her resume is built at trips beyond 1100m, assistant trainer Ben Gleeson believes she has the brilliance to handle 1000m. “If she can show her true colours, there is no reason why she can’t win a big race,” he said.
Connections had also considered the Atlantic Jewel Stakes, but Gleeson said the weight impost there made the Moir a better option. “She is quite small in stature… so we thought we would have a crack at the Group 1.”
Prepared at Cranbourne with a pair of strong jump outs, La Dorada has earned praise from work rider Laura Winks, who said she measures up against the stable’s previous stars Imperatriz and Bellatrix Star. Future targets could include the Manikato, Scarborough, and the Thousand Guineas.
Apprentice Luke Cartwright will partner La Dorada in her Australian debut. “He is arguably one of the most promising young jockeys in Australia and he deserves his chance,” Gleeson said.
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