The Mark Walker stable is anticipating the Moir Stakes at Sandown, with Geegees Mistruth slated to compete.
This 1000-metre Group 1 race is being held at Sandown this year as Moonee Valley undergoes track redevelopment and reconfiguration.
This year’s edition features a field of 13 runners, and while it is expected to be a quick dash, the Sandown track’s width will allow ample room for the field to spread.
Geegees Mistruth’s most recent start was a victory in the Group 1 Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville in April. She enters Saturday’s event following a single jump-out, a winning performance at Caulfield Heath on August 19.
Walker’s assistant trainer, Ben Gleeson, indicated that the team intentionally kept the mare fresh, believing she has completed the necessary preparation to be competitive.
“The plan was always to have the one jump-out, keep her fresh and then hopefully we can go to the Manikato (Stakes),” Gleeson shared.
“We were rapt with her trial at Caulfield Heath a few weeks ago and she’s had a few gallops at home.
“I think she’s improved. In saying that she needs to with her rating being where it is now.
“She has to find a couple of lengths. I think she has and we’ve had her for a year now and have continued to learn about her, work with her quirks, and I think we’ve done that.
“The Sandown 1000 metres is going to suit her fresh. She’s that 1200 to 1400-metre type of horse, but she is electric first-up.
“If there is any horse suited in it at Sandown, it is certainly her and we’re glad it’s not at Moonee Valley.
“She’s not been there before, but she’s got a lovely big action on her, and she will eat up that ground up the rise.”
Having commenced her career in Tasmania with Stuart Gandy, Geegees Mistruth has achieved one win for Walker, complemented by four placings from her seven starts with the stable.
Gleeson emphasized the hard work by the team, particularly track rider Laura Winks, in assisting Geegees Mistruth to develop a more relaxed nature.
“She’s a highly strung filly, but her track rider that has ridden her from day one when she came to us has done a lot of hard work with her,” Gleeson stated.
“She’s got her to relax. She’s happy, she’s eating us out of house and home, and is nearly one of the quietest horses in our stable now.”
Blake Shinn, who rode Geegees Mistruth in the Caulfield Heath jump-out, will be aboard on Saturday, with the pair drawing barrier four.
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