Leading trainer Adam Durrant says luck and not fitness will be the key to Mr Moet claiming a second Group One victory in the Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Mr Moet hasn’t raced in close to a year but Durrant is a master conditioner of thoroughbreds and will have the seven-year-old finely tuned for his return encounter.
Durrant is following the exact path that proved so stunningly successful in 2012 when Mr Moet won the Railway Stakes first up from a year-long absence.
Just as he successfully plotted two years ago Durrant has opted for Mr Moet to bypass traditional lead-up races in favour of two trial hit outs.
“His fitness is no problem at all,” said Durrant on TAB Radio.
“We don’t send our horses to the races on the soft side.
“You don’t have to go to the races to be rock-hard fit.
“With our systems we can get the work into them.
“I think the timing is perfect for him and its luck at the right time.
“If he can get that I have no doubt he will run in the first three.”
Mr Moet comes into barrier ten with the scratching’s of the emergencies and will have the services of champion jockey, Paul Harvey.
Harvey, inducted into the Western Australian Racing Industry Hall of Fame last Saturday, is chasing a record-equalling fourth Railway Stakes.
Harvey, who won previously with Modem (2004), Old Comrade (2001) and Willoughby (1998) can join Frank Treen.
Mr Moet, one of three Railway entrants for Durrant, is quoted a $15 chance with the TAB.
Stable mate Chester Road, who has lost the past two years of his career to a tendon injury, is at $31.
The Tiger Hill gelding resumes after a close second to Mr Moet in the Cox Stakes (2100m) in 2012.
Chester Road, who will be partnered by veteran Peter Hall, was given two warm up trials.
Hall will waste hard to partner Chester Road at 53kg in the Railway.
Durrant says despite the long absence he is confident Chester Road will be competitive.
“His fitness is excellent and he deserves his spot in the race,” said Durrant.
“His leg is great, his work has been great and his trial was great.
“He will progress to the Kingston Town Classic (1800m), the Cox Stakes (2100m) and the Perth Cup (2400m).
“It might not be his day on Saturday but he will beating home more than who beat him.
”I wouldn’t run him if I thought he wouldn’t be competitive.”
Durrant is open-minded Ranger can break a losing sequence of 1113 days.
The Testa Rossa gelding currently shares equally billing with Chester Road at $31.
“He has to be competitive early where he can be in a position to finish the race off,” said Durrant.
“I won’t be holding my breath but he is working well and is in good order.”
Julio Santarelli: RWWA