Perth Graduate Wins Another Group One

Buyers were given a timely reminder of the quality offerings of the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale today when star Melbourne based galloper Moment of Change won the Group One CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

Already a proven Group One winner, Moment of Change was sent out the favourite in the weight-for-age feature after an unlucky first up second in the Group Two Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley.

Sent to the front from the outset, Moment of Change went at a strong clip before sustaining a late burst from fellow Magic Millions graduate Eurozone to win.

Trainer Peter Moody said the win, the second at the elite level for Moment of Change, was very much deserved.

“He’s a good, honest horse in the right race for him,” Moody said. “He ran them along, he stuck his head out – he deserved it!”

Moody said the Group One Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in a fortnight was a fitting next run for Moment of Change.

Moment of Change was bred in Western Australia and is by Cornerstone Stud based sire Barely a Moment, himself a value graduate of the Perth Yearling Sale when sold by Dick Vincent’s De Grey Park.

Melbourne based buyer Rob Slade took a shine to Moment of Change when presented by Sovereign Thoroughbreds at the 2010 Perth Yearling Sale and went to $50,000 to secure the colt for his Slade Bloodstock operation.

Slade has had great success buying from the Perth sale ring with other stakes winners including Brockman’s Lass and Time Matters and he is planning to attend the upcoming sale on February 18 and 19.

Moment of Change has turned out an incredible investment for his connections. His $50,000 purchase price has grown into prize earnings of $1,268,238.

He has won or placed in 15 of his 20 starts and his five unplaced efforts include two Group One fourths.

From the Perth placed Metal Storm mare Europium, Moment of Change hails from a successful West Australian thoroughbred family.

His dam is a half sister to the Belmont Guineas and Boulder Cup winner Mr Diagnosis. Both are from the RJ Peters Stakes winner Kosleta.

Also in the family are Perth based group winners Daring Smile and Spirit Lady.

There are four yearlings by Barely a Moment catalogued for March’s Adelaide Yearling Sale at Morphettville – three colts and a filly.

Winner: Moment of Change
Breeding: Barely a Moment-Europium (Metal Storm)
Race: MRC CF Orr Stakes G1 (1400m)
Sold for: $50,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Sovereign Thoroughbreds
Buyer: Slade Bloodstock
Earnings: $1,268,238
Owner(s): R Slade, JM Barnett, MJW Syndicate (Mgr: D Whelan), HD Sonnenberg, L Crellin, G Neradovsky, Mrs A Neradovsky, R Peck, RK Cook, A Kheir, G Connally, A Davis, M Henderson, P Lestone, S Oldknow & D Oldknow
Trainer: Peter G Moody (Caulfield)