Mojo Rhythm gave trainer Mitchell Pateman something to cheer about and has leapt into Railway Stakes (1600m) contention after winning the Group 3 R.J.Peters Stakes (1500m) in upset fashion at Ascot on Saturday.
Mojo Rhythm ended the day on a positive note for Mitchell Pateman after his stable pin up Almighty Class toughed it out to run a spirited fourth after racing wide for the majority of the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) earlier in the day.
Stepping up for the Pateman stable and winning his first race since last year’s Peters Stakes when successful over recent Melbourne Group winner, Alsephina, Mojo Rhythm, this time with Pat Carbery aboard, defeated Yonga Lass and Amber Glide.
In a slow and muddling run affair early, Carbery snagged Mojo Rhythm back towards the tail of the field and bided his time before setting sail for home after getting into the clear in the home straight to hold out the fast-finishing Yonga Lass by a short-neck.
A son of boom sire, Playing God, Mojo Rhythm’s victory guarantees him another shot at winning next Saturday’s Group 1 Railway Stakes after his exploits 12-months back when held up for clear running and finishing an unlucky fifth to Bustler.
Pateman said he’s thrilled to be having another chance of winning Western Australia’s famous mile race and says with even luck, Mojo Rhythm can’t be discounted in taking out the $1.5 million feature.
“He’s a hard horse to train, he’s so big and gross,” Pateman said.
“You work him too hard he races pretty flat.
“I got stuck into him between his last run and this one.
“He’s improved out of sight and is a good horse.
“I think he did a good job to hold out Yonga Lass who is a good horse on its day.
“Pat (Carbery) rode him really well and kept him one off the fence.
“He rode a lot for my dad, so it’s pretty special.
“He’s gotta be a chance (Railway) and goes good off seven days.
“Once he reaches peak fitness he holds his form really well.
“I can’t see why not.”
Mojo Rhythm capped a lucrative meeting for Carbery after he guided budding star, Jokers Grin to another impressive win, his fifth from six starts.
Carbery, who won the Peters Stakes previously when partnering superstar, Northerly and Westriver Kevydonn, said Pateman was instrumental in helping revive his career after hitting a flat spot.
“A while back, about a year or so ago, I was having a really quiet run,” Carbery said.
“I just needed to change things up a bit and started riding work for Mitch.
“I just needed to be around good people and it’s good to repay them.”
Tabtouch has Mojo Rhythm at $26 with online betting sites to win the Railway Stakes 2024.