Fresh from breeding a triple Australian classic winner last season, Luigi Muollo has high hopes of adding another one to his tally tomorrow.
The owner of Novara Park is the breeder and co-owner of Elusive Express (NZ) (Jakkalberry), the pre-post favourite for the Gr.1 Victoria Oaks (2500m).
Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, Elusive Express has shown ability from the start. She won her only juvenile start last June at Cranbourne and then returned to finish second on a heavy track at Bendigo.
She was then asked to take on the best fillies and immediately showed she was up to them, finishing third in the Gr.2 Tranquil Star Stakes (1400m), winning the Gr.2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, and then running second to Yearning (Snitzel) in the Gr.1 One Thousand Guineas (1600m).
The biggest question mark over Elusive Express will be the 2500m trip. Her female family isn’t full of stamina, but the fact she’s by a former Melbourne Cup placegetter gives her a big chance of staying.
“I bought her mother Braided very cheaply for $5000 and the first foal that came out, Condo’s Express, became a stakes winner over 1200m,” Muollo said.
“But I don’t think 2500m will be a problem for Elusive Express. All she’s got to do is get cover and she’s got a big chance.”
Muollo unfortunately no longer has Braided (Elusive Quality), who died foaling a Staphanos colt last year. She also has a Sweynesse two-year-old filly that’s currently in Australia.
Elusive Express won’t be the only mare Muollo is hoping for big things from at the Flemington carnival as he also has Only Words (NZ) (Sweynesse) in the Gr.2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.
Winner of the Listed Wanganui Guineas (1200m) in 2020, Only Words joined Chris Waller soon after and last autumn won the Gr.2 The Roses (2000m).
So far this spring she had a couple of fourth-place finishes at 1600m before winning at Moonee Valley on October 22.
“She’s been unlucky this spring and then won nicely and easily at Moonee Valley last week,” Muollo said.
“She is going really well and it’s going to be exciting watching her in the Matriarch.”
Muollo, whose greatest highlights last season came from triple Derby winner Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry), had also hoped to have Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) third placegetter Signora Nera (NZ) (Sweynesse) contesting spring features, and she looked ready for a big spring when winning easily first up on August 28, but injury has forced her retirement.
“Chris Waller said she had really improved and he thought she’d be a big Caulfield Cup chance,” he said. “Sadly she hurt a tendon and I’ve had her served already by Wootton Bassett.”
