Mooneista primed for Flying Five bid after 'foot-perfect' racecourse gallop

High-class sprinter Mooneista delighted trainer Jack Davison with a "foot-perfect" workout after racing at the Curragh on Saturday ahead of her tilt at the Group 1 Flying Five Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend.

The four-year-old has had some near-misses this season and failed by a short head when defending her Sapphire Stakes crown last month, but Davison is hoping a physically improved version of his stable star can elevate her form to new heights this autumn.

Carrying the colours of the trainer's mother Paula, Mooneista is the shortest-priced domestic contender for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai-backed prize at around 7-1.

Highfield Princess tops the market at 3-1 after trainer John Quinn indicated a tilt at the €400,000 race is a possibility for the runaway Nunthorpe heroine.

"Everything went smoothly on Saturday with her racecourse gallop," said Davison.

Mooneista: being trained for the Group 1 Flying Five on Irish Champions WeekendCredit: Patrick McCann

"She did a solo breeze over half a mile and was absolutely foot-perfect. It was nice work. They built it the whole way and hit the line strong. Colin [Keane] was delighted with her and feels she's better than ever. Visually for me, it looked the same.

"She looked impressive and seems to be stronger. She's still in full bloom, which is great, and I think the eight-week break between the Sapphire and Flying Five will have been just what she needed coming into the autumn."

Despite having been unable to add to her tally in five starts so far this season, Mooneista has arguably been better than ever in 2022.

She found Power Under Me too strong by a neck on her comeback in the Cork Stakes, before finishing third to Romantic Proposal in the Woodlands Stakes and filling the runner-up spot in the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes after suffering interference from Brad The Brief.

A tilt at the King's Stand Stakes saw her claim fourth behind exceptional Australian star Nature Strip and Davison is eying further Group 1 targets after the Dandy Man filly's Curragh bid.

Jack Davison: 'We're really looking forward to the Curragh after Saturday's work - she's in a really good place'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"She's been unlucky this year but hopefully she'll get the big one next month – the Flying Five would make up for it," said Davison.

"She's in the Prix de l'Abbaye as well and it's all about the autumn with her because she's that much better with softer underfoot conditions. Whether or not we get softer ground, that's another thing, but hopefully there will be some ease."

Davison added: "She's a better filly this season compared to last year and I'd imagine she'll be better again in the autumn from what I'm seeing at home. I think she's bigger and stronger.

"We're really looking forward to the Curragh after Saturday's work - she's in a really good place."

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