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The undefeated Moonee Valley record of Baraqiel remains intact after the in-form track specialist won the 2025 Moir Stakes in a narrow but convincing performance on Saturday.

In what the team hailed the seven-year-old’s biggest performance to date, Baraqiel came from midfield on the turn to burst through the middle getting the late split to claim a thrilling victory in this year’s Group 1 $750,000 Moir Stakes (1000m).

“100 per cent (it is his biggest achievement). It’s amazing and to do it with him. It’s very special,” co-trainer Troy Corstens told the media post-win.

Having won the Listed Carlyon Stakes at the track and trip in his lead-up, the Snitzel gelding is now four-from-four at The Valley and a winner of eight of his 12 starts overall being lightly raced for his age.

On the line he had a half-length to spare on Alabama Lass ($6.50) who was in front but run down in the final few strides, while Arabian Summer ($16) finished a close third adding value to the Moir Stakes trifecta.

The Moir Stakes result was a deeply emotional and significant one for trainers Leon & Troy Corstens and Will Larkin, marking the culmination of a career riddled with setbacks and injuries.

Baraqiel has overcome multiple tendon issues and a delayed debut until age five, yet returned to racing with a win in the Carlyon Stakes last month, setting the stage for this breakthrough.

“I think about it every day. With him, he’s so fragile. You never know when it’s coming. You know it’s going to come and you hope you can hold him together for as long as we can. He loves it here,” Corstens said.

In Saturday’s 1000m dash, jockey Ben Allen executed a daring ride, weaving through traffic and surging up the middle.

“I was very nervous at the top of the straight. I thought we were going to go to the line untested. His turn of foot is just so brilliant. He’s such a good horse and what he can do when he’s got clear air, is unbelievable,” Will Larkin added.

“It’s been massive, right from when I started with Leon and Troy we’ve been patching him together. We’ve had so many setbacks. You have to think on your feet all the time and not overwork them and use the time to get them up to speed. We had a bit of a rope around us at the start of the preparation when we wanted to kick him off at Caulfield, but he was scratched there, but it’s come to the fore. It’s huge for the team to get him through that and get him to this level.”

For the Malua Racing team, the result was a vindication of years of patient rehabilitation and belief in the horse’s talent.

“It’s unbelievable to get it for these owners and the Malua Racing team. What a story, what a horse,” winning hoop Allen said after securing his third Group 1 victory.

“The amount of setbacks and how patient and persistent they’ve had to be with him, it’s unbelievable.”

Next, Baraqiel is set to target the Group 1 $2 million Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m) back at course on September 26, aiming to extend his unbeaten record at The Valley to five.

Classy New Zealand mare Imperatriz (2023) was the last horse to complete the Moir Stakes – Manikato Stakes double.

The price on Baraqiel to be the next in futures 2025 Manikato Stakes betting at race sponsor Ladbrokes has firmed in from $8 to $4.

This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team.

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