Moonee Valley will again play host to Rothfire when he contests the $750,000 Group 1 Moir Stakes this weekend, a race staged over 1000 metres at the club’s spring-opening meeting.

The gelding has shown his affinity for The Valley in the past, taking out the Group 2 McEwen Stakes at this meeting three years ago and finishing runner-up to Imperatriz in the same event the following year.

Trainer Rob Heathcote was thrilled with Rothfire’s recent trial win at Doomben, where he coasted home by more than four lengths. “I gave him a trial last week at Doomben and he was fantastic,” Heathcote said. “Martin Harley… got off and he said he feels like a three-year-old. He flew down on Thursday night, he travelled brilliantly and he’s settled into the Hayes stables like he’d never left.”

The Moir Stakes attracted 21 entries, including Mornington Glory, Skybird, Queman, Baraqiel, Alabama Lass, Niance and Esha. Rothfire’s last Melbourne outing was a fifth in the 2023 Moir Stakes, when the race was run later in September. He will gallop at the Valley on Tuesday to reacquaint himself with the tight circuit.

Luke Nolen comes in for the ride with Ben Melham suspended. Nolen, who has 40 career Group 1 wins, will be Rothfire’s eighth jockey in as many starts. “He is on the comeback trail and he’s coming off a long injury, however, 40 Group 1s do look good on your resume,” Heathcote said. The Moir will be Nolen’s first Group 1 mount since the 2023 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes after returning to the saddle only last week.