Peter Moody grabbed a Group 1 training double at Eagle Farm on Saturday when Mid Summer Music caused a boilover in the $1 million AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).

Mid Summer Music and Luke Nolan, picture Sportpix.com.au

With all the talk surrounding Sea Siren and Buffering during the week, Mid Summer Music came into the race under the radar, having finished a modest ninth behind Sea Siren in the Doomben 10,000 leading into this.

Favourites Sea Siren and Buffering began well with Buffering coming across from his wide barrier to sit three deep on the speed and Sea Siren in behind the leaders on the fence.

Listen Son led them to the turn where Buffering under the top weight of 58kg took the lead at the 200m and look set to run away with it until Luke Nolen brought the six-year-old mare Mid Summer Music up the inside, after a dream run throughout to hit the lead.

Buffering was unable to go with Mid Summer Music who ran out a 1.8L winner over the brave Buffering in second and Happy Zero running out of his skin to grab third a short head away at big odds ahead of the consistent Pinwheel in fourth. The overall time was 1.23.06 with the last 600m run in 35.4.

Former Queenslander Moody was yet to win Queensland’s feature race and was wrapped with what was an unexpected win.

“This is as good as it gets this is the ultimate for Queensland racing and it’s a tremendous thrill and I got to be honest I didn’t expect it and that makes it all the better,” said Moody.

“I thought she was in a wonderful spot I was wrapped with where Luke had her and it was a tremendous ride he rode her for luck and she is an unbelievable trier.”

“I doubted her and she has made a mug out of me again and I hope she continues to do that.”

Nolen said that he travelled like the winner a long way out and that fellow stable jockey Linda Meech deserves some credit after talking Peter Moody into persevering with the mare after winning a Warracknabeel maiden on debut in 2010.

“She has been very honest her whole career and we weren’t super confident going in,” said Nolen.

“She had prepped well for it but we thought to be a genuine group 1 contender we would need it near bottomless.

“She travelled like the winner a long way out and she proved them all wrong, I hope someone had a bet on her.

Robert Heathcote trainer of Buffering was very happy with the run of Buffering who will now be sent for a spell

“We knew we were in a bit of trouble with the barrier and the pressure up front was enormous,” said Heathcote.

“Full credit to Peter Moody but c’mon Peter give us a break,” Heathcote quipped.

Sea Siren wilted late to run ninth, beaten 6.5L after winning two Group ones leading into this. 
 

Mid Summer Music is by Oamaru Force out of Samsara Lady (NZ) and is owned by T Scales, D & Mrs S Juratowitch, J Robinson, M Mattsson, B Cross, Robertson Wouters Smart Synd, W Callender, S Horne & M Picone.