This Saturday Melbourne’s premier trainer Peter Moody will shoot for the season’s final Group 1 trophy when he runs his in-form mare Floria in the 2013 Tattersall’s Tiara where she’ll have to be at her best to be sharp over the 1400m coming down from a mile.

Peter Moody will look to win the 2013 Tattersall's Tiara trophy on Saturday with Floria. Photo: Daniel Costello.

One of 16 hopefuls engaged in this year’s edition of the $500,000 Group 1 Sky Racing Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm, Savabeel five-year-old Floria steps out for new trainer Moody for just the fourth time.

The Kiwi expat was previously prepared in New Zealand by Stephen McKee where she won three of her 23 starts.

After joining Moody’s operation earlier this year she’s been thriving down under and now looks a very competitive chance in the Tattersall’s Tiara which will be just her second elite level assignment.

The first was last year’s Group 1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha where she was far from disgraced fighting on well to finish one and three quarter lengths away sixth to Say No More.

Her Aussie debut was an impressive one on Sydney Cup Day at Randwick in late April as she finished a competitive second to the Guy Walter-trained Skyerush in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1600m).

Skyerush was second in last year’s Tattersall’s Tiara to the since retired Pear Tart and will look to go one better when she runs fresh in the feature on the weekend alongside her dual Group 1 winning stablemate Streama who comes off a Stradbroke Handicap third and who came up trumps with barrier one.

Following the Emancipation Stakes Floria was just outside the money in the Listed Scone Cup (1600m) when a length and a half off the winner Speediness before Moody took her to Brisbane to chase some winter glory.

She lined up in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m) last start on June 8 at Eagle Farm and was a long neck away second to the Chris Waller-trained Red Tracer, another top chance in the Tattersall’s Tiara, in that lead-up run.

Moody is confident that Floria has the right form to be competitive in her season grand final despite her double digit draw in 11.

His only concern though is her coming back from the 1600m to 1400m and whether she’ll have enough speed in the finish to hold off the late chargers.

“She was good the other day behind Red Tracer, she probably wants a mile but it’s the only race there so I’ve endeavoured to keep her fresh and chase a bit of Group 1 glory,” Moody said.

“She has had three runs and has gone super on each occasion but she just strikes as a miler more than a 1400 metre type of horse.

“She’ll need all the breaks and all the luck, but she was very competitive the other day.”

Tattersall’s Tiara 2013 betting is due to open at our preferred online sportsbook bookmaker.com.au shortly so don’t forget to open your account, it only takes a couple of minutes, and prepare for the best odds on all the Eagle Farm features this weekend!