In what has been a stop-start autumn for Mo’Unga, the All Aged Stakes is shaping as a perfect campaign reboot, provided the Randwick track continues to dry out.
The four-year-old missed a scheduled start in the George Ryder Stakes due to an elevated temperature and Saturday’s feature will be his first outing since his runner-up finish in the Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in February.
Given the horse’s outstanding fresh record, the space between runs is no issue for Mo’unga’s connections and he has already proven himself at the highest level over Saturday’s course and distance.
“He has performed really well first-up over 1400, he won the (2021) Winx Stakes first-up and it’s the same sort of set up here,” jockey Tommy Berry said.
Mo’unga has been commissioned for sale through Magic Millions as a racing and stud prospect, so a victory in the final Group 1 of the Sydney autumn carnival would be timely.
Berry says trainer Annabel Neasham is confident she has the horse at his peak and the top jockey’s only reservation is the heavy-rated track.
“He has won on heavy ground before, but it takes a little bit of his brilliance away,” Berry said.
“I was at the jump outs with Annabel (on Thursday morning) and she couldn’t be any happier with him.
“If it was a really dry track, she would be overly confident, but it’s probably going to be an eight now and he is just a little bit better on drier ground.”
Randwick was a heavy 9 on Thursday but Australian Turf Club general manager of racecourses, Nevesh Ramdhani, said favourable weather conditions could see it improve.
“We’re hopeful we can start on an eight into a seven on Saturday, and maybe better if we have a bit of luck with a breeze and some warmer temperatures,” Ramdhani said.
“Fingers crossed we get back to a soft track.”
All Aged Stakes day will be Ramdhani’s final Group 1 meeting in Sydney before the highly respected track official relocates to the Gold Coast to take up a similar role.