Australia: Win streaks on the line in Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley

Bella Vella has compiled a four-race winning streak since March, a span highlighted by a victory in a Group 1 sprint in May. Fabergino has also won her last four starts since October and won her group stakes debut in a Group 3 in May.

The two Australian-bred mares, both 6-year-olds, are in peak form approaching their first meeting in Friday’s Group 1 Moir Stakes at five furlongs at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne.

The $741,000 Moir Stakes drew a field of 13, including seven fillies and mares. Aside from Bella Vella and Fabergino, the 3-year-old filly Away Game and 5-year-old mare Pippie are held in high regard. Post time is 6:15 a.m. Eastern.

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Bella Vella, trained by Will Clarken, won the Group 1 TAB Classic at six furlongs in May before she was given a rest during the Australian winter. The TAB Classic has historically been known as the Sangster Stakes.

Bella Vella won her comeback start in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes at five furlongs at Moonee Valley on Sept. 5, beating the 7-year-old gelding Ashlor, who starts in the Moir.

Bella Vella is capable of setting the pace or racing from a stalking position.

Fabergino, trained by Tiarnna Robertson, tends to set the pace. She is likely to do so in the Moir, considering she has not raced since a win in the Group 3 Northam Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs at Ascot Racecourse in Perth in Western Australia in May.

Fabergino has won 9 of 12 starts. Her current winning streak includes three listed races at five furlongs.

Away Game was a Southern Hemisphere 2-year-old when she finished fifth behind Bella Vella in the TAB Classic. Last March, Away Game was second to Farnan in the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes, a $2 million race for 2-year-olds at six furlongs.