Trainer Gary Portelli has confirmed that leading Victorian jockey Craig Williams will ride champion filly She Will Reign when she resumes in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 29th.
She Will Reign will be ridden by Craig Williams in the Moir Stakes in late September. Photo: Steve Hart
Partnered by Ben Melham in four of her five career starts so far, She Will Reign returned the paddock after mustering an outstanding performance to win the featured Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) by close to three lengths on March 18th.
Portelli told Racing Victoria that Melham will remain the first choice rider for She Will Reign this season, but the filly will only be given a light weight for her run in the Moir Stakes and Williams fits the bill perfectly.
“Benny’s working hard to get down to 51 but Craig will ride her first-up and then he’s there as a back-up if it’s impossible for Ben,” Portelli said.
Portelli is thrilled with the condition of the Manhattan Rain filly as she continues to build towards her competitive return and revealed that she has furnished into a bigger racehorse this time in.
“She’s 50 kilos heavier than what she was when she won the Slipper,” he said.
“She’s now at the right weight, at the right size as she was quite a small, demure little filly when she went into the Slipper off one preparation.
“She’s had time to furnish with a 10-week spell and it should be the making of her.
“She’s been in work for about a month and is up to doing three-quarter pace over 800 (metres) so we’ll probably trial her at the end of August and then have another trial in September before we take her down there.”
Trialling well in the lead-up to her competitive debut, She Will Reign immediately stamped herself as one to watch with a dominant nine-length win in the Festive Season Maiden (1000m) at Kembla Grange on December 10th.
Flying home to win the Inglis Nursery (1000m) by four lengths only one week later, She Will Reign resumed this year for a smart win in the Group 2 Silver Slipper (1100m) on February 18th, but was well beaten by Frolic in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m) in her only other start prior to the Golden Slipper.
She Will Reign is the early $4.50 favourite in 2017 Moir Stakes betting markets, ahead of champion sprinter Chautauqua ($6.50).
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