The Moir Stakes marks the first traditionally run Group 1 of the 2026/2027 racing season at Moonee Valley Racecourse, but the 2026 edition has been temporarily relocated to Sandown Hillside while The Valley undergoes redevelopment.

The $750,000 race which is run across 1000m was won by Baraqiel last year (2025), followed by Mornington Glory (2024), Imperatriz (2023), Coolangatta (2022) and Wild Ruler (2021).

The 2026 edition is headlined by young gun Natural Fling, who only has three runs under her belt, but boy has this filly shown something. Fan favourite Giga Kick also returns to kick off his spring prep.

Natural Fling is currently the favourite with Sportsbet to take out the Group 1, but the market suggests many can win.

Check out our tips and predictions for the Moir Stakes below!

Winner: My Gladiola

Why: Giga Kick is the class horse in the field but 1000m is the big question for him here. Across six starts at the distance, he has only won once. The son of Scissor Kick must be respected, but 1200m is his go. Include in exotics but I would rather others to win.

Natural Fling and My Gladiola are the two horses I’m most interested in.

Natural Fling has only three starts in her career, but she looks the goods. Her last start was a whooping 4-length victory at Caulfield, and while the filly didn’t beat much, that kind of form can’t be overlooked. Also given the fact she is carrying 6.5kg to 8.5kg less than the entire field, she appears mighty hard to beat.

When looking at My Gladiola, the grey has been trialling excellently, and she could pull off a win here. When racing first-up last prep, she nearly beat the now retired Tentyris, showing the grey’s class. Big fan.

Cavalry Girl’s impressive form must be considered as well. She’s the fit horse and loves the booking of Craig Williams. While this is definitely the hardest field she has faced this prep, the mare could surprise.

Top 4: My Gladiola | Natural Fling | Giga Kick | Cavalry Girl

Connor Scanlon

Winner: Giga Kick

Why: I will continue to back in Giga Kick until I'm blue in the face. Eight first-up efforts for six top three finishes including three wins makes for easy reading, and whether it rains or not, this guy can handle it. The only query here is the distance and how ready Clayton Douglas has him.

But if Stable Mail's chat with the trainer was anything to go by, then Giga will be rattling home on the wide expanses of Sandown.

Rounding out my top four was a more difficult task. Leaving out Point Barrow and My Gladiola hurts, but I think others are more primed for this. Cavalry Girl is fit, has Craig Williams in the saddle, has won four of her last five and has drawn soft in five for a dream run. Expect her to be slogging away in the finish trying to stave off a swooping Giga Kick.

The market disrespected Geegees Mistruth opening near enough to $20. That has rightfully been tightened as the last-start Group 1 winner shapes up for a first-up boilover. Blake Shinn aboard for the first time is a great show of faith and I can't leave her out of the quaddie.

Natural Fling slips into fourth purely based on potential, but I think the price is incredibly disrespectful for a three-start filly coming up against an Everest winner (Giga Kick). Lets see her do it against the cream of the crop, then I will be on board the Fling-train.

As mentioned earlier, Point Barrow would have been my next in and I trust the Freedman's to have her well enough to run a race here. My Gladiola is a warrior and John McArdle is very happy with her, could put together a nice showing.

The only Group 1 of the day is a beauty, and I hope we see Mark Zahra saluting the crowd on a bounding Giga Kick.

Top 4: Giga Kick | Cavalry Girl | Geegees Mistruth | Natural Fling

Ethan Clark

Winner: Giga Kick

Why: The dynamic of the Moir changes away from The Valley with the longer straight at Sandown set to make things more even.

Giga Kick is the class runner in the race. Has an excellent first-up record (8:3-0-3) but 1000m is a small query. Will he be sharp enough? If they go like cut cats up front then he’s every chance of storming home.

Forecast rain in Melbourne brings him further into it.

Hard to look beyond Natural Fling who could be a proper jet. If the 3YO filly is as good as some reckon then she might just come out and put this G1 field away.

Fancy the quinella.

My Gladiola was massive first-up last prep, narrowly going down to Tentyris over this distance. Looks slightly overs but is running out of chances.

Cavalry Girl is flying and certainly can win.

Throw Geegees Mistruth in juicier exotics.

Top 4: Giga Kick | Natural Fling | My Gladiola | Cavalry Girl

Andrew Slevison

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