Troy Corstens is hungry for more Group 1 success after finally breaking through again with Baraqiel earlier this month.
Baraqiel, trained by Leon and Troy Corstens alongside Will Larkin, delivered a stirring victory in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 6. On Friday night, he returns to the same track seeking a second top-level trophy in the Manikato Stakes (1200m).
Corstens’ previous Group 1 came in 2017 with Montoya’s Secret in the Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill, and he admitted the Moir Stakes win only whetted his appetite for more.
“We got the Group 1, but once you’ve got one, you want more unfortunately, because we’re greedy,” Corstens said.
“Winning Group 1’s is really addictive. It was eight years since my last one and I’m hoping it won’t be eight years until my next one.”
Baraqiel had initially been set to launch his campaign in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield, but a vet ruling saw him scratched on race day. That setback rerouted his preparation, with the Moir win becoming a surprise bonus ahead of the Manikato.
“This was always going to be our Grand Final, but we may change that afterwards as I always say as a horse trainer, I deserve the right to change my mind at any time of the day,” Corstens said.
“I would love to look at The Everest, if I can. I think Nathan (Bennett) has had a couple of little phone calls, but nothing serious just yet.
“I think everyone is holding back for Friday night and to win the Moir, it was a bonus.
“We were going to start off in the Bletchingly and then we were open as to how we were going to get to the Manikato.
“It might have been the Moir anyway, but when we missed the Bletchingly, it forced our hand.”
Ben Allen, aboard Baraqiel in all 12 of his starts for eight victories, retains the ride from barrier seven in the 10-horse field. Corstens said he won’t overcomplicate matters with strict instructions.
“It will be interesting to see what goes forward,” Corstens said.
“Maybe Sir Sway goes forward, Alabama Lass will probably go forward. Rothfire is drawn outside us, so that might make it OK for us if he goes forward and then it depends where he gets posted.
“I try not and pin Ben down with much. He knows what he’s doing and knows the horse very well.
“We’ll let him ride the horse and the race and go from there.”
With the Manikato the final edition at the current Valley circuit before redevelopment, Corstens said a win would be a fitting send-off. “I love Moonee Valley, so to win it would be unbelievable,” he said.
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