Brad Waters’ horses to follow from 2025 Moir Stakes Day at Moonee Valley on Saturday

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FIVE TO FOLLOW

YACHIYO (0.2-length 2nd of 11, Race 2): The Japanese-bred mare had her second start since March and did a terrific job to go down narrowly. She was ridden closer from barrier one and faced the strong breeze at times in the back straight. Jockey Craig Williams went for home on the home turn but the five-year-old might have just peaked on her run at her first start for a month. Yachiyo is ready to win.

KINGS VALLEY (0.2-length 2nd of 8, Race 3): The Ciaron Maher-trained import looked a bit woolly in the coat in the mounting yard before the race, indicating that he would improve on whatever he did second-up. He raced wide at Caulfield first-up and tried hard at The Valley before Farhh Flung, who had a 5kg weight advantage, grabbed him late. Kings Valley is going well and there’s a win in him soon.

STAY COSMIC (0.5-length 2nd of 8, Race 6): Bumped into the highly-touted Rosberg when resuming but showed he was in for a good preparation with his strong second. Jockey Thomas Stockdale saved ground the home turn before Stay Cosmic let down well to challenge the leaders at the 100m. The three-year-old might have just peaked on his run late while Rosberg got into his stride late. Follow Stay Cosmic as he gains fitness.

ZANY GIRL (5.2-length 7th of 11, Race 7): Crossed Bass Strait to make her Melbourne debut in the Atlantic Jewel after building a good record in her home state. She finished five lengths from the winner but her run should be totally forgotten. The filly never got a crack at them in the straight despite Craig Williams’ best efforts. She wouldn’t have beaten the winner but still should have finished much closer. There will be plenty of chances for her to atone in the coming weeks.

FISSION (1.8-length 4th of 9, Race 10): Resumed in a tough race but did well to finish less than two lengths from the winner. He looked to be racing a bit keenly early and had to get off heels nearing the first turn, which left him racing three-wide without cover for the remainder of the race. He would have been entitled to tire in the straight but he stuck to his task in the straight. He looks to have come back well.

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FORGIVE

GODTFRED KIRK (5.5-length 3rd of 6, Race 1): Godtfred Kirk settled second last but didn’t have a horse to tow him into the race from the 600m but he faded from the home turn to finish more than five lengths from the winner. Jockey Jamie Mott reported the three-year-old made an abnormal respiratory noise. The Freedman camp will scope him and there might be an issue there.

SKYBIRD (2.2-length 6th of 14, Race 9): The Lightning Stakes winner started favourite in the Moir Stakes but was held up from the home turn to the finish line, never seeing daylight. Forget she went around.

KING ZEPHYR (1-length 3rd of 9, Race 10): Started as the $2.20 favourite in the last race but his chances weren’t helped by a slow start. The Grahame Begg-trained galloper might not have handled the turns around The Valley but he finished off well when balanced in the straight. He’ll improve off that run.

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STEWARDS SAY

GRAPHIC SIGHT (5th, Race 1): Vets examination revealed a skin infection in the back area.

SAVILLA (9th, Race 2): Blake Shinn reported she would be better suited on larger tracks.

STEEL KNIGHT (8th, Race 6): Co-trainer Rob Archibald would be better racing in a clockwise direction.

BESKAR (6th, Race 6): Hung out in the straight. Co-trainer Sam Freedman would be better racing in a clockwise direction.

OLE DANCER (5th, Race 7): Jockey Blake Shinn said she needed longer races.

GOLDMAN (10th, Race 8): Pulled up lame in the off foreleg.

TORRANZINO (8th, Race 8): Held up from the 400m to the 200m.

ESHA (8th, Race 9): Pulled up lame in the near hind leg.

ROTHFIRE (9th, Race 9): Held up for clear running from the 400m to the 50m.

OAK HILL (11th, Race 9): Held up for clear running in the straight.

FLYER (8th, Race 10): Held up on the home turn, crowded for room at the 150m & held up until the 50m.

Originally published as Brad Waters’ horses to follow from 2025 Moir Stakes Day at Moonee Valley on Saturday