Moor, 37, who rode the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Sierra Sue to defeat Dice Roll and l'm Thunderstruck in the $1 million Rupert Clarke Stakes, said he had never forgotten his early days growing up in Warrnambool.

"It was a special few moments following Sierra Sue's win," Moor told The Standard.

"A lot of things flashed into my mind. I remembered the blokes that helped me out in Warrnambool many years ago.

"Blokes like Robert Blacker, Peter Lafferty, Paul Richards, Billy Nolan, Neville 'Nifty' Wilson and the late Jocka Baillie all flashed through my mind.

"They all played significant parts in my early years. It was pretty special to get messages from Nifty and Billy after the race.

"I had won a group one in Mauritius but to win one here in Melbourne is very special. It's been a long time coming. I've got to give thanks to Trent and Natalie for supporting me."

Moor had to waste to ride the lightly-raced five-year-old at 52.5kgs in the 1400-metre race.

"I had to lose a bit of weight over the last week to take the ride," he said.

"My weight had been heavier over the winter months. I had spent a bit of time on the sidelines over the winter but I got down to 52.5kgs for this ride.

"Last year over the spring I was riding at 51kgs but this year I'll be aiming to ride at the 52kgs.

"I'm just hopeful the winning ride on Sierra Sue will see other trainers and owners offering rides in some of the Melbourne spring feature races. It was a good strong win by Sierra Sue. She's a gutsy mare."

Sierra Sue took her prize-money earnings to more then $1.1 million following her win in the Rupert Clarke.

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