Annabel Neasham may have the second favourite for the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) in Zaaki, but she is warning punters not to discount one of her other runners, Mo’unga.
The New Zealand-bred Group One winner is a $21 winning chance with TAB bookmakers, but his trainer believes he is a serious contender in the A$5 million feature at The Valley on Saturday.
The Savabeel entire placed in both the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and Gr.1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) before tailing the field home in the Gr.1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m).
“He was strong on the line the other day, the race just didn’t pan out for him,” Neasham told RSN.
“I think if there is pressure in the race, we know he sees the trip out as well if not better than anything else in the race.”
Neasham is happy with Mo’unga’s barrier of nine in the 12 horse field, citing a wider alley as beneficial for his racing pattern.
“You prefer to draw a bit out with hun because he takes a bit of winding up and you are more likely to get a bit of room to build momentum from being drawn a little wider,” she said.
“I am really excited to get Nash (Rawiller) onboard. He has been really excited about riding him and you love putting those riders on that are really desperate to get on your horse.”
Mo’unga was purchased by Aquis for $325,000 out of Waikato Stud’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft.
He has gone on to win five of his 20 starts, including the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m), Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) and Listed Dulcify Stakes (1500m).
He now sports the colours of Newhaven Park where the five-year-old will retire to stand at stud following his racing career.
