Winx Stakes: Mo’unga shows he could be racing’s next star on day of drama

The first Group 1 race of the new season had a bit of everything at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

There was Mo’unga showing he might be racing’s next thing when he edged out champion mare Verry Elleegant after an enthralling duel for the $500,000 Winx Stakes (1400m).

But there was some outstanding runs behind the glamour duo with Melbourne Cup hopeful She’s Ideel running a blinder for third, Japanese Group 1 winner Keiai Nautique producing an eye-catching Australian debut, Cascadian was charging home and Think It Over right there in the mix.

Only a half-length separated the first six over the line – if this is a portent of things to come then bring on the spring carnival.

Mo’unga made a statement in his comeback run that left young trainer Annabel Neasham almost speechless after winning the weight-for-age feature.

“I’m a bit emotional actually,’’ Neasham said.

“He looked the winner a long, long way out but when he came up outside Verry Elleegant I knew he was going to be in for a tough battle as she’s such a fighter as well.’’

Mo’unga ($11) gave Neasham the third Group 1 win of her training career when he defeated Verry Elleegant ($4.20 favourite) by a half neck with She’s Ideel ($51) a half head away third.

But there was more drama on a action-packed day as Brandenburg, ridden by Rachel King, had been challenging for a Winx Stakes placing when he broke down badly about 100m out and crashed to the turf.

After some minutes, King eventually got to her feet and walked back to the jockeys’ room unaided.

Mo’unga (right) and Verry Elleegant fight out the finish in the Winx Stakes. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Tommy Berry, rider of Mo’unga, made his way over to King to check on her condition.

The two jockeys embraced and it was a relief to see King smiling after being consoled by Berry.

Brandenburg fell at virtually the same point that Xtremetime, ridden by Brenton Avdulla, hit the deck in the Group 2 $200,000 Silver Shadow Stakes, earlier on the program.

After being initially knocked out, Avdulla regained consciousness and was taken to nearby Prince of Wales Hospital with concussion and precautionary X-rays.

Sadly, the leg injuries to Xtremetime and Brandenburg sustained in the falls were so severe both horses had to be humanely put down.

The Brandenburg fall was a shocking racing accident but Racing NSW stewards have adjourned an inquiry into the incident involving Xtremetime.

The falls and the injury to Avdulla shook all the jockeys and it was understandable when Berry declined to be interviewed after Mo’unga provided the rider with his 34th career Group 1 win.

Mo’unga, who gave Neasham her first career Group 1 when he won the Rosehill Guineas under Berry earlier this year, has matured into a powerful four-year-old, according to the trainer.

“He’s improved a hell of a lot from a three-year-old to a four-year-old,’’ Neasham said.,

“I was really confident looking at him in the parade ring today. I just thought he looked quite fit and it’s a massive well done to the team.

“He’s in for a great prep. I don’t know where we will go from now but I think we are going to have a fun spring.”

Annabel Neasham with the Winx Stakes trophy. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Verry Elleegant nearly defended her Winx Stakes title with trainer Chris Waller describing the mare’s effort as “terrific”.

“I spoke to some good judges post-race and they said it was probably as good as run as she has ever produced first-up,’’ Waller said.

“Without speaking to her owners, I would say we will be back here in four weeks for the (Group 1 $1m) George Main Stakes.

“I like to give them that little gap between their first and second runs after a spell. We used to do the same with Winx.’’

Neasham is also considering the George Main Stakes for Mo’unga before a decision is made whether to set the entire for the Cox Plate or Golden Eagle.

She’s Ideel’s trainer Bjorn Baker said it felt like a win after his classy staying mare sprinted well fresh to claim the minor placing while the Matthew Smith-trained Keiai Nautique drew praise from Hall of Fame jockey Glen Boss.

“Keiai Nautique was outstanding, he’s one to watch for the future,’’ Boss said.

Hugh Bowman just missed his 100th Group 1 win on Cascadian but said the Doncaster Mile winner showed he’s in for a “great spring campaign” after his close fifth.

TAB BETTING WRAP

RACE 3

Tampering landed a nice move when leading throughout to take win the Midway Handicap (1600m). Opening the day at $7, the Kerry Parker-trained gelding jumped $5.50 after some solid specking which began early morning. TAB had initially gone up $9.50 on Wednesday. Arctic Thunder ($4.20-$5) got the wobbles late but was easily the most popular, holding twice as much as Majella ($7.50).

BETS: Tampering $1000 @ $6.50, Arctic Thunder $1000 @ $4.60 TWICE

RACE 4

Favourite backers were sent packing after Loveplanet was nailed in the shadows of the post by Always Sure (1600m). The Chris Waller runner was sensationally backed, especially late, and firmed from $2.40-$2.25 on the day. Overall, the gelding held 58 per cent of the total investment and was more than five times as popular as anything else. Always Sure, a $26 chance on Wednesday when markets first opened, was $12-$14 on the day but had nibbles at the each-way odds.

BETS: Always Sure $1000 e/w @ $10/$2.80, Loveplanet $8,000 @ $2.25, $2,500 @ $2.25

RACE 6

Swift Witness was pretty solid in betting but didn’t attract a great deal of attention heading into the Darley Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m). Hovering around the $7-$7.50 mark for most of the day, Swift Witness held less than 10 per cent of what was riding on Four Moves Ahead ($2-$2.50). John Sargent’s favourite was responsible for roughly half the total investment on the race while Jamaea ($7.50-$7) was easily the best tried of the others, however, she held just under third of the money that was on the fav. Of the rest, Mallory ($10-$8) was a late firm.

BETS: Swift Witness $1000 @ $7.50, Four Moves Ahead $15,000 @ $2.50, $1,500 @ $2.50, Mallory $5000 @ $8

RACE 7

Private Eye defied the betting drift to finish best in the Mostyn Copper Show County Quality (1200m). The Joe Pride gelding was $5.50 in the morning and despite attracting some good money, blew to $9 at the jump. Going around as the third most popular runner, Private Eye beat Embracer ($8) which held good each-way money with Icebath ($15) rounding out the trifecta. Spintex ($4.40-$3.60) was the most popular outside of Chat.

BETS: Private Eye $1000 @ $9, Splintex $2000 @ $3.80 MULTIPLE TIMES

RACE 8

Mo’unga attracted some light specking late in the Winx Stakes (1400m). Annabel Neasham’s four-year-old opened the day at $9 and reached a peak of $12 before jumping an $11 chance.

Verry Elleegant ($3-$4.40-$4.20) was a significant drifter on the day despite attracting big money. She was responsible for 41 per cent of the total investment in the Group 1. Think It Over ($7.50-$6.50-$8.50-$7.50) was popular all day and Kolding ($6) were the only two horses outside of Verry Elleegant to attract six figures with TAB Fixed Odds.

BETS: Mo’unga $1500 @ $10, Think It Over $2000 e/w @ $7.50/$2.40, $1000 e/w @ $7/$2.50, $5000 e/w @ $6.50/$2.40, Verry Elleegant $8000 @ $4.20

RACE 9

Fituese was one at each-way odds that was constant specked throughout the day heading into the Bowermans Commercial Furniture Toy Show (1100m). Opening the day at $10, it peaked at $12 before jumping at $11 but was one of several mares to carry strong each-way support. Written Beauty ($4.60-$5.50-$4.80) held 24 per cent of the total investment and was one of just two horses to hold six figures with Tailleur ($4.20-$5.50) being the other.

BETS: Fituese $2000 @ $11, $1,000 @ $11, Written Beauty $4000 @ $5

RACE 10

Atishu was the first horse backed earlier in the week for the Darwin Turf Club Handicap (1400m). TAB went up $11 about the Chris Waller import and immediately it was crunched into $6.50. Today, $4.80 was available in the morning before $5.50 was being offered just before jump time. Atishu went around as the second most popular galloper in terms of money held with Bigboyroy ($3.80-$4.80) holding slightly more. Love Tap ($7.50-$10-$7) was a decent firm late.

BETS: Atishu $1500 @ $5, $1100 @ $5, $1000 @ $5, Poetic Charmer $1000 @ $16, $3000 @ $15, Bigboyroy $2500 @ $4.40, $1000 @ $4.20, Love Tap $3500 @ $8.50

Originally published asMo’unga emerges as next star on dramatic day

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