Fresh off winning her first Group One as a trainer with Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on Saturday, Annabel Neasham is now setting her sights towards more elite level targets with the Kiwi-bred colt.
A tilt at the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) has been ruled out, with Neasham favouring the shorter distances of either the Gr.1 Doncaster (1600m) or the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
“He’s pulled up well. He looks like he has got another run left in him and hopefully even two,” Neasham told Racing.com.
“We have probably decided that we won’t go to the Derby.
“I think he is brilliant over 2000m, and the mile as well. I have no doubt that he would be hard to beat in a Derby, but I think we would rather try and win a Doncaster or a Queen Elizabeth with him.
“If he looks like he is going to go two weeks between runs he could go to the Doncaster. He is not going to get many more opportunities to carry 49 kilos.
“The only negative with a race like that for him is a field of 20. He is a horse who is likely to be in the back half of the field and you do often need a lot of luck (from there).
“A race like the QEII may have appeal as well. It is a small field but a strong field, and the three weeks would suit as well.
“Those are our two options and we will have a few more days with the horse before we fully commit to one or the other, or both.”
Purchased out of Waikato Stud’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by Aquis Farm for $325,000, Mo’unga became his sire Savabeel’s 23rd individual Group One winner on Saturday.
