Mr Moet staying home
A decision to give Mr Moet a long spell will enable WA's star galloper to make a surprise return at Belmont Park next winter in the Strickland Stakes, the race which launched the $1.62 million earner as a household name on the Australian racing scene.
Mr Moet was scheduled to go to Sydney's leading trainer Chris Waller for an autumn campaign.
But breeder and owner Jim Smith, who owns the six-year-old with his family, believed a long spell was the better option after his spring campaign in Melbourne and Perth.
Mr Moet raced eight times at the top level, including in the Caulfield Cup, Railway Stakes and Kingston Town Classic.
He ran sixth to Ihtsahymn in the Cox Stakes (2100m) at his last start at Ascot on December 21.
"He was pretty jaded after his last start and the owners thought it would be better to give him a good three-month spell and let him come back for the weight-for-age races of the Hyperion and Strickland Stakes," trainer Adam Durrant said.
"He can then come back and have a Railway and Kingston Town preparation."
The son of Mosayter beat Luckygray first-up in the 2012 Railway Stakes (1600m), before Luckygray turned the tables in the Kingston Town Classic (1800m).
Mr Moet then won the Cox Stakes (2100m), before lumping 59kg to finish second to Talent Show in last year's Perth Cup (2400m). Durrant took Mr Moet to Melbourne where he ran third in the CF Orr Stakes (1400m), second in the Peter Young Stakes (1800m) and sixth in the Australian Cup (2000m).
The $125,000 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) and Strickland Stakes (2000m) are run on June 14 and 28.
Durrant could have a prospect for the WATC Derby (2400m) after Mountain Haze landed consecutive wins in Saturday's Westspeed Handicap (1400m).
Apprentice Chanelle O'Grady set a steady pace in front on Mountain Haze before clearing away at the top of the straight to a comfortable 1¾-length win.
The gelding's win was compensation for the shock defeat of Durrant's $1.50 favourite Crystal Gardens two races earlier.
Durrant had touted Crystal Gardens as his trump card for the WA Oaks (2400m), but the daughter of Blackfriars pulled up sore.
"I will have her leg scanned tomorrow to make sure there are no problems," Durrant said.
"Mountain Haze ran a reasonable time (1.23.13) on a day where the times weren't fast.
"He is out of a Scenic mare and if I stretch him out over the distances he could be a derby horse."
·Paul Harvey was suspended for 12 days for causing interference to Rebel King on race one winner Palace Intruder, but the ban expires the day before he is due to ride the unbeaten youngster in Saturday week's $250,000 Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
"He can then come back and have a Railway and Kingston Town preparation.""Mr Moet's trainer *Adam Durrant *
