Paul Snowden found himself in a strange predicament after Mazu’s victory in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes.
While happy the hot-tempered three-year-old had put his mind on the job to land a valuable stakes win at Randwick, Snowden was in equal parts frustrated not to be preparing the colt for a start in next weekend’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington.
“It’s certainly a shandy of what he has to offer, but we’ll take it anyway,” Snowden said.
“He’s a strong enough character, he’s got plenty there to give. But it’s unfortunate. He should be running in the Coolmore next week this horse, that’s the amount of ability he has.
“Hopefully we’ll see that come to fruition later in the year.”
The first Australian stakes winner for former Japanese superhorse Maurice, Mazu ($3.70) placed in the Pago Pago Stakes as a juvenile but had been unable to feature in three starts this campaign.
His racing manners were still not perfect on Saturday, but he had enough ability to defeat Battleton ($8) by 1-1/4 lengths with $2.30 favourite Able Willie, who also did his share of things wrong, another head away third.
Winning rider Sam Clipperton echoed Snowden’s sentiments that Mazu’s racing manners had been holding him back but hoped a victory might boost the three-year-old’s confidence.
“He’s a very fit horse and when I asked him for his superior effort he dropped them,” Clipperton said.
“He put paid to them pretty easy, so it just goes to show his talent. He’s crying out to be gelded, whether that happens now I’m not sure.
“Hopefully that gives him some confidence going forward.”
Kerrin Mcevoy wasn’t disappointed in Able Willie despite his defeat and said the gelding was trapped wide early and would improve from the experience of what was just his second race start.
“Not everything went his way and he was left exposed without cover,” McEvoy said.
“(He was) just a tiny bit aggressive but he’s still learning his trade. Good effort to run third.”
Paul Snowden found himself in a strange predicament after Mazu’s victory in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes.
While happy the hot-tempered three-year-old had put his mind on the job to land a valuable stakes win at Randwick, Snowden was in equal parts frustrated not to be preparing the colt for a start in next weekend’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington.
“It’s certainly a shandy of what he has to offer, but we’ll take it anyway,” Snowden said.
“He’s a strong enough character, he’s got plenty there to give. But it’s unfortunate. He should be running in the Coolmore next week this horse, that’s the amount of ability he has.
“Hopefully we’ll see that come to fruition later in the year.”
The first Australian stakes winner for former Japanese superhorse Maurice, Mazu ($3.70) placed in the Pago Pago Stakes as a juvenile but had been unable to feature in three starts this campaign.
His racing manners were still not perfect on Saturday, but he had enough ability to defeat Battleton ($8) by 1-1/4 lengths with $2.30 favourite Able Willie, who also did his share of things wrong, another head away third.
Winning rider Sam Clipperton echoed Snowden’s sentiments that Mazu’s racing manners had been holding him back but hoped a victory might boost the three-year-old’s confidence.
“He’s a very fit horse and when I asked him for his superior effort he dropped them,” Clipperton said.
“He put paid to them pretty easy, so it just goes to show his talent. He’s crying out to be gelded, whether that happens now I’m not sure.
“Hopefully that gives him some confidence going forward.”
Kerrin McEvoy wasn’t disappointed in Able Willie despite his defeat and said the gelding was trapped wide early and would improve from the experience of what was just his second race start.
“Not everything went his way and he was left exposed without cover,” McEvoy said.
“(He was) just a tiny bit aggressive but he’s still learning his trade. Good effort to run third.”
