Lucky Hussler, winner of the G3 George Moore Stakes a fortnight ago when first up from a spell, holds favouritism for this weekend’s Listed Lough Neagh Stakes at $3.50. Hot on his heels in the George Moore where Morning Captain, Startsmeup and Steel Zip and they too are backing up and as expected, figure prominently in the market. Include the well performed Mahisara and the promising Mishani Warrior and it’s a competitive event with several legitimate chances.
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1. MAHISARA – G Colless (14) 59kgs
He resumed from a spell in the Listed Mss Security Stakes (1200m) up the Flemington straight on Cup day. Drawing the widest gate in the field of twenty, the 5yo stallion probably found himself in the slower part of the track and closer to the outside fence than was proved to be ideal. Leading from the jump, he couldn’t hold of the late challengers but did well to finish fifth (1 ½ lengths behind Richie’s Vibe. His next start, and his most recent, came in the G3 Sandown Stakes (1400m), a race he had won last year. He settled second in the run and appeared to be struggling as the rounded the turn at Caulfield however, the Paul Messara trained runner chased valiantly and recorded a ¾ length win over Go The Knuckle and Galah. Doomben suits (has ran two close seconds in Stakes races from two attempts here) and despite having drawn poorly, still rates highly.
2. MORNING CAPTIAN – J Byrne (9) 58kgs
A super honest competitor who ran a head second in the G3 George Moore Stakes last start behind Lucky Hussler when giving the winner 3gks – meets him 1kg better here. That effort followed another close up finish (third, 0.6 lengths) behind the smart Better Than Ready in the Listed Keith Noud (1200m). These recent efforts have taken his record in Stakes races to 14:1-2-2 which includes a head second in this race last year behind Audacious Spirit. Will not doubt give a good account of himself and will be in the mix but at this level, has an unfortunate knack of finding one better than him on the day.
3. STARTSMEUP – B Stewart (12) 57.5kgs
Ran a great race stepping out of the first time for new trainer Bruce Hill when third (0.6 lengths) in the G3 George Moore Stakes (1200m) a fortnight ago. That was off a break of eight weeks so would expect him to have had benefited from having had the run and, the additional 150m is also favourable. Ran fourth in this race last year under 58.5kgs and as 5/2 chance after having won the G3 George Moore Stakes. Sure to be competitive again.
4. BENNY’S BUTTONS – R McMahon (2) 56kgs
After pushing Better Than Ready to a head in the Listed Keith Noud Stakes (1200m) first up off a fourteen week spell, the Kelso Wood trained runner started 9/2 favourite in the G3 George Moore Stakes a fortnight ago. Unfortunately though not much went right in the run for the 6yo who lost a plate and was injured during the run in which he finished eighth (3.4 lengths). Drawn well again and given the price and excuses about him last start, the $6.50 on offer here shouldn’t be overlooked.
5. LUCKY HUSSLER – M Cahill (4) 56kgs
The son of Husson was competitive in all the leading 3yo races during the Brisbane Winter carnival earlier this year and recorded placings behind Sizzling (G2 Qld Guineas) and Academus (Listed Daybreak Lover). Listed as an emergency for his return to racing in the G3 George Moore Stakes, he secured a run after scratching of the as then pre-post favourite Cape Kidnappers. He settled in a nice position form a good drawn and finished too well, recording a head win over Morning Captain. Does jump 2kgs here but will be fitter for the first up run, extra trip suits and, has again drawn a lovely gate in four. No reason he will not be heavily involved in the finish again.
6. GUNDY SON – R Wiggins (13) 55.5kgs
The back-maker also resumed in the G3 George Moore Stakes but from the tail of the field, wasn’t able to advance his position a great deal and finished tenth in the field of sixteen, 3 ¾ lengths from Lucky Hussler. His second up records does read better again and he flashed home this run last prep to run a length second to the impressive Pentasia in the Listed Chief De Beers (1110m) however, the 8yo has only managed one win from his past twenty-three starts and will need to run down a more than handy field here.
7. STEEL ZIP – J Taylor (10) 55.5kgs
Pat Duff trains this 6yo by Canadian Silver who has three runs back this time in – all of them solid performances. He kicked off the campaign with a third behind Better Than Ready and then finished a close up fifth (1 ½ lengths), again behind Better Than Ready, in the Listed Keith Noud Stakes (1200m). He latest start was a fast finishing fourth (3/4 lengths) behind Lucky Hussler in the G3 George Moore Stakes. It has been ten starts and a year since his last win but a repeat performance of last start gives him of breaking that spell.
8. PHELAN READY – E Wilkinson (11) 55kgs
Thirty-eight starts after claiming the 2009 Golden Slipper, the 7yo More Than Ready gelding still hasn’t registered another victory. In three starts back from a seventeen week spell, he has been well accounted for on each occasion with the most recent effort resulting in a sixth placing behind Lucky Hussler in the G3 George Moore Stakes (1200m), beaten 3.1 lengths. As always, he closed well enough from the tail of the field and the faithful will tell you getting to the 1350m for this first time this prep will see him breaking the drought. He did ran third in this race last year as the 2/1 favourite and carrying 59kgs but his lead up form was much stronger.
9. BIGGLES – (1) 54kgs
The 5yo by Jet Spur faces a massive challenge here given the two performances he has produced since resuming from a an eighteen week spell in late October. He ran last and finished close to a dozen lengths from the winner before a four week break and running second to last in the Listed Keith Noud (1200m) three weeks ago. He has not been in the hunt at any stage in his latest efforts and simply not going well enough.
10. DOUBTFILLY – T Bell (5) 54kgs
Carried the big weight of 58.5kgs on a heavy track when, in Listed Fillies and Mares Classic (1200m), she finished well to run third (beaten ¾ length) behind Lady Echelon. At her following and most recent start, back on a dry track and with a lighter weight of 54kgs, she lined up in the G3 George Moore Stakes and the daughter of Not A Single Doubt was given half a chance as a 10/1 shot in an open field. She jumped from an inside gate and found herself in an awkward spot as the field rounded the turn. She finished twelfth of sixteen and over five lengths from the winner. Drawn well again here and will look to take up a more prominent spot in the run but this race is no easier than last start.
11. MISHANI WARRIOR – (8) 54kgs
Promising type by Show A Heart who raced through his grades last preparation by winning five of his nine starts, culminating in a ½ length win over Tokamak and Listen Son in Open Company.
That particular win came in September and that was the last time we’ve seen the Les Ross trained runner on the track. He has picked a tough race to resume in but if he has continued to progress during his break at the rate he did when last in work, he’ll be a chance. Had a soft trail her at Doomben just over a week ago.
12. QFIGHTER – T Harrison (3) 54kgs
The Matthew Dunn trained runner had registered two win on the trot leading into the Listed Keith Noud Stakes (1200), his fourth attempt at Stakes level. Unfortunately his effort was similar to that of his previous attempts at a higher level and he finished a poor thirteenth in the field of fifteen runners, some seven lengths from winner Better Than Ready. It was a better effort back to Class 6 company at his next and most recent start when running a second (2 ¼ lengths) behind Love Rocks. Faces another step up in class and would again expect him to be well handled.
13. LOVE ROCKS – A Allen (6) 54kgs
Since the Stratum 4yo has returned to Steve Tregea’s stables after a brief in New South Wales with Craig Carmody, he has really hit his straps and won his latest two outings in impressive style. He claimed a Class 6 at Eagle Farm by 3 ½ when defeating The White Hope over 1200m and then crossed the road to hand out a similar performance to Qfighter and company, winning another Class 6 by 2 ¼ lengths. Doing everything right at the moment and although this is a tough test for him, no better time to have a crack at it.
RACE OVERVIEW
Another tough affair as indicated by the market. Michael Cahill has jumped at the chance to ride Lucky Hussler here after having partnered Benny’s Buttons, who started favourite, in the G3 George Moore Stakes. Thought the 1200m of that race first up may have been too short for Lucky Hussler and that whatever he did produce, he would be better again at his following start. That being the case, he is hard to go past. Another good draw should see him in the perfect position again and he’ll appreciated the extra trip. It’s been a long time between drinks for Steel Zip but his last start suggests he is close to breaking the drought. Note the Jason Taylor, who rode Lucky Hussler in the George Moore, is aboard. Mahisara last win was tough and he’ll have to be tough again from the widest gate but think the fact that his lugging 59kgs might play a significant part late. Benny’s Buttons may be the forgotten horse out of the George Moore when had genuine excuses.
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- LUCKY HUSSLER
- STEEL ZIP
- MAHISARA
- BENNY’S BUTTONS
