A brief look at some of the races on Moir Stakes Day at The Valley.
Evaporate headed to Stakes level
Having completed a winning hat-trick in taking out the Ladbrokes Own Spring Handicap (1600m), the Lindsay Park team is looking to raise the bar with Evaporate.
Success in a maiden at Cranbourne was followed by a win at Moonee Valley on August 24, but Evaporate went to another level with his victory on Saturday.
Lindsay Park co-trainer Ben Hayes said Evaporate may head towards the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas if his form continues on an upward spiral.
Firstly, there is the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at The Valley on September 27.
"He's getting up there now. It's very hard to win three in a row with two city races now," Hayes said.
"In three weeks' time there's the Stutt Stakes, and that would be the ideal race to head towards and that's a traditional lead-up to a Caulfield Guineas.
"The dream is alive at the moment, so we've just got to get him there and he'll be a nice chance."
Silmarillion runs up to form
There is never good thing in racing, but if ever there was one, it was Godolphin filly Silmarillion in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m).
At her last start, The James Cummings-trained Silmarillion split Ameena and Manaal in the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on August 24.
Ameena and Manaal met again in the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday, finishing one-two, 15 minutes before Silmarillion hit the track.
Silmarillion was sent out the $2.50 favourte and duly registered a three-quarter length win.
Winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy said the filly may be able to stretch out further in time.
"It was nice just to be able to get a sit on them today," McEvoy said.
"The other day I probably just hit the front a little bit early on her and we were left a sitting shot after being there on the pace in a fast-run race.
"Today she got a nice trail, and she showed a good little kick when I asked her.
"I'm sure James will have something in the pipeline for her next."
Pericles dominant in So You Think Stakes
Godolphin galloper Pericles registered his first win in 12 months with a dominant display in the So You Think Stakes (1500m).
The James Cummings-trained five-year-old had not been successful since winning the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) on the corresponding weekend last year.
However, Pericles had collected placings in the Silver Eagle, the Golden Eagle, along with Group placings in the Futurity Stakes and Doncaster Mile since that win.
The So You Think Stakes replaced the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) transferred to the Grand Final Eve meeting at The Valley on September 27.
"He hasn't won for 12 months but he's competed at top level for some time now and it's finally good to see him win again," Godolphin assistant trainer Nacim Dilmi said.
"He's been narrowly placed in Group 1's, so it's good to see him back and like James said earlier this week, the Underwood would probably be his next start, finishing in Sydney in a race like the Epsom.
"That would be a nice Grand Final."
