Baraqiel shooting for back-to-back G1's in 2025 Manikato Stakes
Troy Corstens is determined to savour more Group 1 success as Baraqiel aims to extend his winning streak at Moonee Valley this Friday.
Trained by Leon and Troy Corstens in partnership with Will Larkin, the gelding announced himself with victory in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) earlier this month and now steps up to the Manikato Stakes (1200m).
For Corstens, the Moir triumph ended an eight-year drought dating back to Montoya’s Secret in the 2017 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill, a gap he does not want to repeat.
“We got the Group 1, but once you’ve got one, you want more unfortunately, because we’re greedy,” Corstens said.
“Winning Group 1’s is really addictive. It was eight years since my last one and I’m hoping it won’t be eight years until my next one.”
Baraqiel’s preparation hasn’t been straightforward, with the horse scratched from the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in July after a vet inspection. That forced a change of plans, but the Moir became the perfect launchpad.
“This was always going to be our Grand Final, but we may change that afterwards as I always say as a horse trainer, I deserve the right to change my mind at any time of the day,” Corstens said.
“I would love to look at The Everest, if I can. I think Nathan (Bennett) has had a couple of little phone calls, but nothing serious just yet.
“I think everyone is holding back for Friday night and to win the Moir, it was a bonus.
“We were going to start off in the Bletchingly and then we were open as to how we were going to get to the Manikato.
“It might have been the Moir anyway, but when we missed the Bletchingly, it forced our hand.”
Drawing gate seven in a field of 10, Baraqiel again teams up with regular jockey Ben Allen, who has ridden him at all 12 starts for eight victories. Corstens said Allen knows the horse well enough to make the right calls in running.
“It will be interesting to see what goes forward,” Corstens said.
“Maybe Sir Sway goes forward, Alabama Lass will probably go forward. Rothfire is drawn outside us, so that might make it OK for us if he goes forward and then it depends where he gets posted.
“I try not and pin Ben down with much. He knows what he’s doing and knows the horse very well.
“We’ll let him ride the horse and the race and go from there.”
With the Manikato set to be the final running at the current Valley circuit before redevelopment, Corstens said a win would be particularly special. “I love Moonee Valley, so to win it would be unbelievable,” he said.
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