Esha’s connections will decide their next move with the filly in the coming week after she pulled up lame after Saturday’s Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley.
Esha went into the $750,000 contest with an unbeaten record before she was far from disgraced when eighth to Baraqiel in a blanket finish to her first Group 1 race.
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The three-year-old finished 2.5 lengths from the winner but a vet’s examination revealed she had pulled up lame in a hind leg.
“She copped a prat on the home corner,” Shane Nichols, who prepares Esha in partnership with Hayden Black, said.
“It was obviously a very hectic speed but once she copped a little bit of a bump, she lost her action.
“She’s pulled up with what is hopefully not a significant issue.
“She’s still run creditably in a Group 1.”
BARAQIEL 💥
He’s a Group 1 Star now! Ben Allen pulls off one of the great rides at The Valley to win the Moir 😮 pic.twitter.com/O07hlMonbY
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 6, 2025
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Nichols said the daughter of Extreme Choice had a “one out of five” issue but would closely monitor her recovery before discussing the rest of her campaign with her owners.
Melbourne’s spring carnival program provides many opportunities for three-year-old fillies to secure vital black type status with a stakes win or placing.
Achieving a stakes win would send Esha’s already high breeding value skyward as she is a daughter of Group 1 winner I Am A Star.
🎥 | @gilbertgardiner and @BradWWaters review a thrilling Moir Stakes won by Baraqiel and pick out some horses to follow from The Valley.
Watch here 👇 pic.twitter.com/t0T7SS02m7
— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) September 6, 2025
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“I’ll talk to the connections and decide which way we’re going to go,” Nichols said.
“There’s a few options for her, obviously back in three-year-old grade, which will suit her.
“We won’t make a decision for a week or so.
“We’re dented but we’re not wounded.”