Winx Stakes (Group 1)

THE Annabel Neasham-trained Mo’unga, named after All Blacks first five-eighth Richie Mo’unga, has won the first Group 1 of the season, the Winx Stakes over 1,400 metres at Randwick last Saturday.

The four-year-old Savabeel horse prevailed in a dramatic finish that saw Brandenburg, about to challenge for the lead, break down badly, dislodging Rachel King, but luckily avoiding other runners.

Unfortunately Brandenburg couldn’t be saved, though King was able to walk away relatively unscathed.

In the field of 14, Tommy Berry on Mo’unga got onto the back of the race favourite Verry Elleegant, using the Chris Waller-trained Zed mare to take him three-wide into the race before peeling to her outside and making his run for the line in the final 300 metres.

Hitting the lead just before the 100 metre mark, as Brandenburg faltered, Mo’unga hit the line strongly to prevail over Verry Elleegant by a long neck, as She’s Ideel, Keiai Nautique and Cascadian hit the line together as She’s Ideel took third.

Emotional

“I’m a bit emotional actually, he looked the winner a long, long way out,” said Neasham. “He came up outside Verry Elleegant and I knew he was going to be in for a tough battle as she’s such a fighter as well. He’s improved a hell of a lot from three to four, I was really confident looking at him in the parade ring today, I just thought he looked quite fit. He’s in for a great prep. I don’t know where we’ll go now, but I think we’ll have a fun spring.”

With 10 career starts to his name, this was Mo’unga’s second Group 1 win having landed the Rosehill Guineas in March. A NZ$325,000 yearling from Book 1 of New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2019 Karaka, Mo’unga was bred by Waikato Stud and purchased by the Fung family’s Aquis Stud with All Black Richie Mo’unga a part-owner.