Group 3 Moonga Stakes attracts 11 runners

Buffalo River
Buffalo River will be seeking his second Group 3 Moonga Stakes in three years on Saturday, after claiming the same race in 2021. Photo: Racing Photos

The Group 3 Moonga Stakes will feature 11 runners in the 1400m contest at Caulfield this Saturday afternoon.

After winning her last two starts at the track and trip, Nunthorpe from the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman yard has opened as the race favourite with online bookmakers.

The four-year-old mare will be the only last start winner in the Moonga Stakes; however, she will be seeking her first Group victory of her career at her third try.

At the top of the weights, Mr Maestro from the Andrew Forsman yard will return for his first start of the spring with the benefit of one trail.

Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes have accepted with their talented galloper, Altivo, who is yet to hit the board this preparation after running in Sydney at his two starts this time in.

Buffalo River sits on the fourth line of betting, and he will be seeking his second win in this race after claiming the Moonga Stakes back in 2021.

Along with Buffalo River, the Phillip Stokes-trained Climbing Star sits on the fourth line of betting, and this four-year-old mare will be looking for a return to form on Saturday after back-to-back failures at Flemington recently.

Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Times Square, who brings Group 1 form lines from Europe, will return for her second Australian preparation after struggling at her only two starts in Sydney during the autumn.

Both The Fortune Teller and Cause For Concern ran on well in separate races at Flemington last start, and they are not without a hope.

2023 Moonga Stakes Final Field

No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight
1 Silks
Mr Maestro
Andrew Forsman
Damian Lane
2
58.5kg
2 Silks
The Fortune Teller
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Jamie Kah
6
58.5kg
3 Silks
Buffalo River
Mike Moroney
Celine Gaudray
5
58kg
4 Silks
Cuban Royale
Robert & Luke Price
TBC
11
58kg
5 Silks
Umgawa
Leon & Troy Corstens
Harry Coffey
1
58kg
6 Silks
Fender
Brett Cavanough
Damien Oliver
7
57kg
7 Silks
Cause For Concern
Shawn Mathrick
Ben Allen
8
57kg
8 Silks
Altivo
Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes
Jye McNeil
9
57kg
9 Silks
Times Square
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Carleen Hefel
3
56kg
10 Silks
Nunthorpe
Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman
TBC
10
55kg
11 Silks
Climbing Star
Phillip Stokes
Craig Williams
4
55kg

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