Vinery sires Mossman and More Than Ready will go head-to-head in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley this Friday night.

Buffering (Mossman) is disputing favouritism in the weight-for-age sprint at $4.50 and Samaready (More Than Ready) is right in the market at $7.50.

Buffering’s quest for a Group 1 has been well documented.  He won the Moir last year when it was a Group 2 event and another victory will see him emulate Black Caviar (2011-12), With Me (1990-91) and The Judge (1978-79) as the only dual winners of the race.

Meanwhile, astute trainer Mick Price has taken a calculated gamble with Samaready on Friday.  “It’s a Group 1 with all the top sprinters engaged,” Price said.  “She flew in a gallop at Moonee Valley on Monday morning and had lengths up her sleeve.”

Samaready (4m More Than Ready – Samar by Secret Savings) won the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes in February 2012 and followed up with a G1 placing behind Pierro in the Golden Slipper.  Subsequent injuries have frustrated connections – she caught a virus as a spring three-year-old and then strained a hindquarters in the autumn.

As a result, she steps up to a Group 1 off the back of a first-up win in a G3 Caulfield Sprint on August 31.  “Physically, she’s ready for it,” Price declared.  “I want her to compete in the better races so we’re not taking a backward step.”

Bred by Gerry Harvey, Samaready was sold by Vinery Stud at the 2011 Inglis Easter yearling sale for $150,000.  Vinery retained a share and she will be a valuable addition to its ranks in retirement, especially after the tragic death of her dam Samar soon after foaling a More Than Ready colt earlier this month.

Samar has also foaled G2 Karrakatta Plate winner Night War (General Nediym) and Samarmeteors (Northern Meteor) who was a Sandown juvenile winner for Price and Harvey in May.  The mare’s 2yo is a filly by Testa Rossa and she has a yearling colt by Exceed And Excel.

More Than Ready is a renowned sire of gun two year-olds and the first youngster to trial from his latest crop won a Tatura hit-out last Friday.  Named More Northerly, he is trained by David Hayes and is from a half-sister to champion galloper Northerly.

More Than Ready is standing for a $99,000 (inc gst) fee at Vinery this year.

SAMAREADY