13 3. BARAQIEL – Paramount Liquor Carlyon Stakes & Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes The term ‘Valley Specialist’ can get thrown around but it’s certainly tting for the Team Corstens star Baraqiel who only enhanced his reputation in 2025. Baraqiel exclusively raced at The Valley in 2025 returning from a lengthy spell to win the Paramount Liquor Carlyon Stakes over 1000 metres and then a fortnight later was crowned with Group 1 glory to the cheer of a massive ownership group in the Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes. A brave runner-up placing in the Manikato Stakes rounded out his year and took his Valley record to four wins and a second from ve Valley starts. 4. ONESMOOTHOPERATOR – Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup When the Geelong Cup was abandoned two days before the Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup, trainer Brian Ellison made a swift decision the $750,000 feature would soon become his target race and what a decision it turned out to be. Now into his eight-year-old season and on his second Australian mission, Mark Zahra on his rst ride aboard the gelding certainly backed in his class looping his rivals from last to win. Onesmoothoperator joined the likes of Americain and Hunting Horn as internationals to win the race and went on to contest the Melbourne Cup. 5. OBSERVER – Drummond Golf Vase The last horse to complete the Moonee Valley Vase-VRC Derby double was E cient back in 2006 and Godolphin’s colt Observer could be on the same trajectory. As the shortest priced favourite on Cox Plate Day he didn’t let the punters down and the son of Ghaiyyath looks one of the most exciting prospects heading into 2026. Orbit Logistics Chautauqua Stakes winner Angel Capital and McMahon’s Dairy McKenzie Stakes winner Rosberg could also be bound for big things next year.
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