Unbeaten Moldova set for first stakes test

Moldova will be trying to keep an unbeaten record in tact in her stakes debut at Caulfield.

Winning a Listed race is next on the agenda for unbeaten filly Moldova who is on target to compete on a seven-day back-up in the Vale Redoute’s Choice Stakes at Caulfield.

The Danny O’Brien-trained Moldova dominated her opposition from the front on debut at Bendigo last month before adding a city win last Saturday at Flemington.

O’Brien said Moldova had come through her Flemington run in “super” order, paving the way for the filly to back-up on Saturday in the 1200m Listed race for two-year-olds, which has attracted a field of 14.

Moldova was installed the early $4 favourite for the Vale Redoute’s Choice Stakes on Wednesday ahead of unraced Godolphin-owned colt Hilo at $4.80.

“This is a stakes race and she’s a valuable filly if she can win some black-type,” O’Brien said.

“So it was always an option if we could get her in good shape that she would run in a Listed race like this.

“She is a lovely, big strong Snitzel filly so we were always hoping that she would do what she has done so far.

“Both starts she has been really good and obviously she is still learning so she should improve each time she steps out.

“We’re looking forward to running her again on Saturday.”

Moldova was having her first try racing on the straight course at Flemington last week and came down the outside section of the track before drifting back towards the centre over the final 200m when she was clear of her rivals.

Jockey Brett Prebble reported after that win that he felt the filly got a bit lost up the straight for the first time and would be even better back around a bend when she could follow the running rail, something she gets on Saturday.

O’Brien also believes that was possibly the case.

“It’s always hard, particularly when they are right out wide on the outside fence,” O’Brien said.

“She certainly laid in over the last 200 metres and was looking for the inside rail. So she might be better back around the bend this weekend.

“She should get the good run on the speed again from barrier three and she should be hard to beat.”