Loving Gaby’s affinity with the tight Moonee Valley track was cemented when she added the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) to her win in the Group I Manikato Stakes at the same track last year.
Jockey Craig Williams signalled his intent by driving the three-year-old out of the barriers to race on the quarters of the leader and favourite Bivouac before moving alongside just before the home turn.
Williams rode Loving Gaby to the lead at the 200m before she held off the game Gytrash to score by 1-¼ lengths. Bivouac faded to finish third, a further 1-1/2 lengths away.
The win makes Loving Gaby just the fourth horse to complete the Manikato/William Reid Stakes double following Dual Choice (1972), Manikato (1980 & 83) and Miss Andretti (2007).
Ciaron Maher, who trains the Phoenix Thoroughbreds-owned Loving Gaby in partnership with David Eustace, said he felt the aggressive start was the key to the win
“I thought the key to this race was the start. He (Williams) had to be quite forceful with her to get her that positive and I think that was the difference,” Maher said.
“She looked to be travelling quite well and Bivouac started to fade around the corner. He is a high quality horse is Bivouac but it was her night tonight.”
Maher said the Group I TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in Sydney was Loving Gaby’s main autumn goal.
“I wouldn’t say a race like the Golden Eagle, similar to what Sunlight did mightn’t be out of her reach given she has been to the mile,” Maher said.
“The TJ (Smith) has always been the plan. She loves racing. Her third and fourth run in her preps she really trains on. If she pulls up well we’ll definitely look at that.”