The Group 1 Moir Stakes has drawn a capacity field of 15 plus one emergency, ensuring a hot contest at Moonee Valley this Saturday.

Queensland sprinters will feature prominently, with Rothfire, Payline and Golden Boom all confirmed. For Payline, the race marks his first Melbourne appearance after a career spent entirely in Queensland. On Tuesday morning, the Chris and Corey Munce-trained gelding had a gallop at the Valley to familiarise himself with the tight circuit.

Payline boasts five wins from 21 starts and ran third in the Doomben 10,000 behind Sunshine In Paris and Rothfire during the winter. Munce is pleased with his progress. “He’s adapted well… I was pleasantly surprised seeing him rail up quite well on Tuesday. He looked to change legs when he needed to, and I don’t think that will be an issue,” he said.

Although the 1000 metres may be short of his ideal, Payline’s campaign could progress to the Group 1 Manikato Stakes and later the Champions Sprint. “It’s a race that will have sustained speed right from the get-go. If he runs well, we probably go to the Manikato and then the Champions Sprint… but if he doesn’t get around Moonee Valley, then we’ll probably have to change,” Munce explained.

Esha, an unbeaten filly from the Shane Nichols and Hayden Black stable, has been listed as first emergency and will need a withdrawal to gain a start. The draw will be finalised on Tuesday evening.