Baraqiel<\/a>, the new sprint king of The Valley, roared to victory in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) to remain undefeated in four starts at the track.<\/p>\n Now, the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m)<\/a> on AFL grand final eve, the third last meeting at the track before its redevelopment after the Cox Plate, has gone from Baraqiel\u2019s original target this spring to an audition for the Group 1 The Everest (1200m)<\/a> next month in Sydney.<\/p>\n Baraqiel has defied repeat injuries, unrelated setbacks in all four legs remarkably, to join the Group 1 club as a seven-year-old veteran of only 12 starts.<\/p>\n \u2022 PUNT LIKE A PRO<\/a>: Become a Racenet iQ member<\/a> and get expert tips \u2013 with fully transparent return on investment statistics \u2013 from Racenet\u2019s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section<\/a>. SUBSCRIBE NOW<\/a>!<\/b><\/p>\n Despite the myriad issues past, trainers Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin<\/a> kept the faith in Baraqiel, along with patient owners in the Bennett Racing syndicate.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very special,\u201d an emotional Troy Corstens said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think about it every day (injury history) with him, he\u2019s so fragile. You never know when it\u2019s coming.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know it\u2019s going to come and you hope you can hold him together as long as we can. He loves it here.\u201d<\/p>\n Baraqiel burst between mares Alabama Lass<\/a> and Arabian Summer<\/a> to get the result in a driving finish.<\/p>\n Queensland raider Golden Boom<\/a> rounded out the top four.<\/p>\n Early leaders Midwest and Esha faded out of contention approaching and around the home bend.<\/p>\n Esha, one of only two three-year-old fillies in the field, pulled up lame in the left hind leg.<\/p>\n Unplaced Rothfire, Skybird and Oak Hill were among hard luck runners held up at crucial stages.<\/p>\n The trio could rebound sharply in the Manikato on September 26 at The Valley.<\/p>\n Larkin echoed Corstens\u2019 emotion.<\/p>\n \u2022 What the jockeys said: 2025 Moir Stakes<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n \u201cSo much hard work goes into it,\u201d Larkin, who trains in partnership with Leon and Troy Corstens said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe whole team at home, we\u2019re pretty much patching him up every day at home. <\/p>\n \u201cYou get to this point and it\u2019s quite emotional.\u201d<\/p>\n Baraqiel trucked into contention ominously, brushed Rothfire around the bend, but needed an out in the straight.<\/p>\n \u201cI was very nervous at the top of the straight,\u201d Larkin said.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought we were going to go to the line untested. His turn of foot is just so brilliant. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s such a good horse and what he can do when he\u2019s got clear air, is unbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2022 \u2018Special\u2019 colt Rosberg turns trainer\u2019s day around with debut success<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n