Injury-plagued sprinter Baraqiel has finally delivered on his promise, breaking through for a memorable Group 1 win in a frantic edition of the Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained gelding charged through a narrow opening late in the straight, with jockey Ben Allen weaving between runners to secure a long neck victory at $6. Alabama Lass ($6.50) ran bravely for second, while Arabian Summer ($16) finished a further half-head away in third.
Baraqiel’s story has been anything but straightforward. A serious tendon injury delayed his debut until he was five, but he quickly rattled off four straight wins. The Corstens camp opted against spelling him, and after Larkin officially joined the training partnership, Baraqiel added two more victories before tackling Group 1 company in the Champions Sprint, finishing a respectable sixth.
Yet another tendon setback in the Meteorite at Cranbourne forced another long layoff, and his planned return at Caulfield in July was derailed when Racing Victoria vets declared him lame. After extensive rehab and clearance from vets, he returned to win the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on August 23, setting up Saturday’s target.
A proud Troy Corstens described the Moonee Valley triumph as his biggest training accomplishment. “He’s so fragile, you never know when the next setback will come,” he said. “It’s very special to achieve this with him.”
Larkin admitted the victory was emotional after years of patching the gelding up. “He’s got a turn of foot that’s devastating when he gets clear air. To see him produce it in a Group 1 is unbelievable.”
For Allen, it was Group 1 win number three, though he admitted he was frustrated during the run. “I was cursing the Valley, thinking how tough Group 1s here are. But he’s got that dog in him. Every win at this level feels better than the last.”