Typhoon takes on Dato

Trainer Peter Moody has had a change of heart with his champion mare and reigning Australian Racehorse of the Year Typhoon Tracy, opting to take on the big boys in Saturday's Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.

The five-time Group One winner had been entered in both the Dato Tan Chin Nam, which features likely Cox Plate rivals Shoot Out and Whobegotyou, and the Stocks Stakes over the same distance for mares.

The race will be a crucial stepping stone for Typhoon Tracy on route to the Cox Plate, with many critics believing she will not be suited over 2040m of Australia's weight-for-age championship on October 23.

Early markets for Saturday's race have Typhoon Tracy, unbeaten at the tight Moonee Valley track, at $3 with Shoot Out and Whobegotyou, who beat her home in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) last start, equal favourites at $2.80.

Shoot Out has never raced at Moonee Valley, while Whobegotyou has won four times in five starts at the track. His only defeat came as favourite in last year's Cox Plate.

There are only eight acceptors for the race, but there is plenty of interest in the other runners, with Zipping first up since winning the Australian Cup, along with boom stablemate Rundle, while Bart Cummings has Precedence and Brightnight stepping up to weight for age company for the first time.