By Jonny Turner
Group One-winning race mare Miss Moonlite keeps delivering for trainer Andrew Stuart and owner Shane Kirwan.
The daughter of former star filly Dancingonmoonlight had her name up in lights again when her fourth foal Serious Moonlite took out the opening race at Addington on Friday night.
Trained by Stuart, the four-year-old was expertly handled by Robbie Close who held the lead early before taking a trail.
Serious Moonlite then dashed along the inner to score a deserved win after a consistent run of form over the past month.
“He is quite a good horse, he run a 26sec quarter off the gate and then he’s run home in fast time,” Stuart said.
“He has been going good races for a while, but he just hasn’t had much luck.”
“He probably should’ve won on premier night but he ended up following the wrong one.”
“We will just tick along with him now and have a go at the RATTO series that’s coming up.”
Stuart and Kirwan also enjoyed a standout win with Serious Moonlite’s half-sister Moonlite Dream at Ascot Park last month.
The filly trialled well before heading to Southland but didn’t show her true worth in her first couple of starts.
Moonlite Dream put that behind her in style when bolting in on Diamonds Day by more than three lengths.
“We have given her a wee break, it is a shame the fillies races have moved because she was going really well.”
“She trialled really well, but she got tangled up in the float on her way down south.”
“Murray and Marilyn Brown did a great job of fixing her up.”
Stuart and Kirwan have been on a fantastic ride since the day Miss Moonlite arrived at the trainer’s barn.
Retiring a Group One Breeders Crown winner, the mare has quickly turned into an outstanding producer.
“Shane went to the sales and bought her himself and did all his own research.”
“She didn’t have the best confirmation when she turned up.”
“But it has actually been the best thing that ever happened.”
“She won a Group One and ran 3rd in the New Zealand Oaks.”
“She was actually a bit unlucky to run into Carabella and Bettor Cover Lover in her year.”
Stuart and Kirwan have a two-year-old out of the mare that is being worked up.
Miss Moonlite has also produced Master Moonlite who has won ten races in New Zealand and Australia and Moonlite Drive who has won seven races in total.
