Trainer Peter Moody has more than 2650 wins and 56 Group 1 victories to his credit, but he doubts whether the success of She Dances at Moonee Valley has given him as much satisfaction.
She Dances led throughout to claim the VOBIS Gold Carat (1200m) on Saturday, completing a winning hat-trick.
Moody said he got satisfaction out of winning Saturday’s race for connections that include Frank Sedgman, a former number one tennis champion who won five Grand Slams singles titles and 22 Grand Slam doubles championships.
“What an honour it is to win a race for one of the greatest Australian sportsmen that is still with us,” Moody said.
“He’s 95 years young and it was the highlight of my life meeting Frank a couple of years ago.
“His youthfulness at his age is unbelievable and the joy he gets in seeing this filly win is phenomenal.
“It’s one of the highlights of my career to win a race for Frank Sedgman, one of the great Australians.”
Sent out the $3.10 favourite under Linda Meech, She Dances led throughout in scoring a 2-½ length win from Boldinho ($7) with Fasuto ($3.30) three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
Having won four of her six races and almost $340,000 in prize money, Moody said he would now look to claim a ‘black type’ win or placing to increase She Dance’s potential value as a broodmare.
He said the filly had potentially earned a little break now before being brought back towards the backend of the autumn.
She Dances completed a treble for Moody on Saturday having scored earlier with Dance To Dubai in the Raymond Martin Handicap (1200m) and River Noire in the Ladbrokes Mates Mode Handicap (1200m).
The treble supplied Moody with 14 metropolitan winners for the month of December.
“It’s reward for effort,” Moody said.
“I have a terrific bunch of loyal staff at home and I have a terrific bunch of clients that supported my return into the sport two-and-a-half years ago.
“These are horses that came into the yard as yearlings in basically our first season back and are stepping up to the mark and getting the job done.
“It’s nice to be winning races with horses that have come through the system, not from outside the system.
“There’s a lot of satisfaction there.”