‘World-class mare’ Moira suddenly retired days before Caulfield Cup

Top trainer Chris Waller has announced his Caulfield Cup contender Moira has been suddenly retired days before Saturday’s $5m race.

The seven-year-old ran fourth and 10th in Group 1 races at Caulfield and Flemington over the past month and was a $26 chance for the Caulfield Cup.

But the decision to pull her out of racing was made by owners Yulong ahead of Wednesday’s barrier draw for the 2400m feature.

“Moira is obviously a world-class mare,” Waller said in a statement.

“And while she hasn’t yet quite reached those same heights here in Australia, her performance earlier in the prep gave us a glimpse of her class.

“We simply feel that she is not racing at her absolute best right now.

“With her extraordinary resume, she will be an outstanding broodmare, a real asset to the Australian breeding industry.”

Moira won top races overseas — including the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar just under 12 months ago — under trainer Kevin Attard.

“It’s fantastic to see international-class horses coming into Australia,” Waller wrote.

“It clearly lifts our breeding pool and bloodlines. We very much look forward to seeing her progeny develop and race in the years to come.”

Despite Moira’s retirement, Waller will enter the Caulfield Cup with three runners in Valiant King, River Of Stars, Land Legend and Birdman.

Race favourite Half Yours drew barrier two with Absurde beside in one.

Caulfield Cup barrier draw

1. VAUBAN (barrier 13)

2. PRESAGE NOCTURNE (8)

3. MIDDLE EARTH (3)

4. MEYDAAN (5)

5. ABSURDE (1)

6. LAND LEGEND (15)

7. ZARDOZI (11)

8. ADELAIDE RIVER (9)

9. BANKERS CHOICE (14)

10. DEAKIN (7)

11. GOLDEN SNAP (18)

12. REVELARE (12)

13. RIVER OF STARS (4)

14. BIRDMAN (10)

15. HALF YOURS (2)

16. ROYAL SUPREMACY (6)

17. VALIANT KING (16)

18. PLYMOUTH (17)