Clayton Douglas is eagerly anticipating the challenge of running Title Fighter in his first Stakes race at Moonee Valley. After back-to-back wins at Pakenham and Geelong, the sprinter faces a significant step up in class in the upcoming Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) on Friday night.
Title Fighter has been in strong form this campaign, securing victories in a benchmark 74 race at Pakenham and a benchmark 84 event over 1100m at Geelong earlier this month. Douglas is optimistic about his gelding’s chances, especially given Title Fighter’s excellent third-up record and proven affinity for the Moonee Valley track.
“He’s won his last couple and he’s obviously in really good form,” Douglas said. “It’s a big ask, especially at weight-for-age and at that level, as there’s three or four that look a little better than him at this point, but he’s in great form.”
Douglas also noted the horse’s comfort with the Moonee Valley circuit as a key factor in the decision to tackle Group 2 company. “He’s won at The Valley before, and he’s going well. The owners are keen to have a crack, and while he’s in this type of form, we’ll have a go,” he added.
The $350,000 purse for Friday night’s race represents the richest event Title Fighter has contested, following appearances in $80,000 and $100,000 races in his recent starts. “You don’t get many opportunities to run for this type of money at The Valley, and his record third-up is good,” Douglas said. “He goes in a fit horse, he goes in full of confidence, and he’s drawn a good gate.”
Title Fighter made an immediate impression with a debut win at Moonee Valley in July 2023, and despite now boasting four career wins, Douglas acknowledges the gelding has taken time to fully understand his role as a racehorse.
“He went boom at his first start, won third-up at Caulfield as a three-year-old, but then went off the boil again,” Douglas explained. “He’s the sort of horse that I’ve worked out now how he wants to be trained. He just likes to cruise along between races, and that seems to suit him best. Hopefully, we’ll see the best of him at The Valley.”
