Gatting Over The Odds Says Moody
Peter Moody has not ruled out Gatting repeating another shock victory in Melbourne on Saturday.
The Hard Spun gelding is rated a $34 chance in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Gatting’s market position is not nearly as generous as when he won the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last September for Perth trainer, Darren McAuliffe.
In one of the biggest shocks of the season, Gatting caused a major boil over when he upstaged his more fancied rivals as the $101 bolter.
Now in the care of Moody for his Melbourne campaign, Gatting steps out for his first appearance since the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) at Belmont in June
Part of Moody’s two-pronged attack, the seven-year-old takes on a 15-horse line-up in the Memsie Stakes, drawing barrier 12 for jockey, Luke Nolen.
Although considered an outside hope of striking again first-up, Moody said he considered Gatting to be a better chance than his odds reflect.
“He is super, has settled in well and is enjoying his time here,” Moody told Tabradio.
“The last few weeks has been smooth sailing and he heads to the races in very good order.
“Obviously he came over with a good deal of residual fitness and we’ve slowly built him towards this race.
“We elected not to trial and gave him an exhibition gallop at home in Pakenham.
“I reckon he can run well on his general demeanour and the way he has gone about things.
“He is definitely massive overs at his price.”
Meanwhile stable mate Glennfiddich also debuts for Moody in the Memsie Stakes. The talented three-year-old last raced in April when second to King’s Legacy in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
“It’s probably a big ask and to be honest if the three-year-old race on the same card was 1400m I probably wouldn’t have hesitated going there,” Moody said.
“But everything about him tells me he is a lovely seven furlong, mile-type horse.
“I think he is a high quality colt and an unbelievable physical specimen.
“I think its 25 years since a three-year-old has run in the race so it’s a big ask.
“But I think he has the maturity to take them on and give himself a chance, particularly at the weights.
“It’s a bit of a learning curve for me with both these horses, having zero experience with them both before.
“There are a lot of unknowns, but they go there in very good shape.”
Julio Santarelli