Holler comes “home” to the Valley

A year after winning his first race in Melbourne and forming a highly successful relationship with the Moonee Valley course, Holler returns to the Melbourne track on Friday, October 21 in a bid to claim his second G1 victory.

This time 12 months ago, Holler won the G3 Red Anchor Stakes at the Valley, commencing a progression through the grades that culminated with G1 success in the Canterbury Stakes and a trip to England for the Royal Ascot meeting.

After his Red Anchor win, Holler (John O’Shea/James McDonald) won the G2 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley in January this year and the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick in which he had the G1 winners First Seal and Kermadec behind him.

Returning to Moonee Valley for the G1 William Reid Stakes in March he was beaten in the last stride by Flamberge.

“There’s no doubt he races very well at Moonee Valley, and he will need to on Friday night,” O’Shea said.

“I deliberately left him in England after he ran at Royal Ascot and brought him back a couple of weeks ago and I’d say the trip has sparked him up.
He’s come back to us in very good order.

“This is a very good field and he probably needs to find a length or two from where he was before going to England.

Among Hollers 10 opponents in the Manikato are nine other G1 winners, including the world champion sprinter Chautauqua, Buffering, a winner on World Cup night in Dubai and the  Golden Slipper winner Capitalist.

While O’Shea has the utmost respect for his rivals, he is looking for a typically honest effort from Holler.

“His work this morning was very sharp and he’s always shown that liking for Moonee Valley,” he said.

Holler drew barrier seven in the A$1-million race, a gate O’Shea believes will suit him perfectly.