AN ECHUCA-MOAMA racehorse syndicate is hoping the Melbourne Cup will make the short trip down the road to the twin towns in just over a month’s time.
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The Silver Medal syndicate includes Daryl Coutts, Kevin Pascoe, Peter Holman, John Croft, Tony Hanson and Stewart Grills – some of whom live in Kyabram.
Even Paul Turner who lives in the Northern Territory is involved.
And they have a one per cent share in UK galloper Mustajeer who is expected to have a big spring carnival.
The Silver Medal Syndicate agreed to buy a share in Mustajeer on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.
Their money was transferred on Thursday, August 22.
On Saturday, August 24, their horse took out Europe’s richest handicap race – and the first handicap on the flat with a purse of one million pounds.
And since then the syndicate has been able to get a much closer look at their horse after it was moved to Australia just weeks after its big victory.
Following the move, Mustajeer has been under the guidance of trainer Kris Lees who has more than 2000 career wins to his name.
“The past 12 months have gone very quickly,” Lees said.
“Mustajeer was a bit of a handful when he first arrived if I’m honest. But he settled really well ahead of his second preparation.
“In turn we had a very successful autumn after he won the Parramatta Cup and had two second placings in a row including in a group one.
“After those four races we thought it was a good opportunity to give him another break because he had worked hard.”
Mustajeer returned to the track at Royal Randwick in September following a three-week freshening up period and ran a disappointing second last.
It came after a 10th place finish in the Iron Jack Premiers Cup at Rosehill in August which was the gelding’s first official race following an 18-week spell.
And Lees admitted he has been disappointed with the horse’s early spring form.
“In the race at Randwick he drew a wide barrier and Kerrin McEvoy (the jockey on the day) wasn’t able to get him into the position he would have like,” Lees said.
“It was a fork in the road for our preparation, but he’s been working really well over the past week.
“I’ve actually been very happy with what he has shown.”
Lees will be hoping the form from the training track transfers into Saturday’s meeting at Randwick when Mustajeer contests the group 1 Metropolitan ran over 2400m.
The eighty-year-old from Medicean (GB) and Qelaan (USA) will have the race ‘s top weight at 58kg.
“Hugh Bowman is going to jump back on board which we think is really exciting for us,” Lees said.
“I think we’ve got a great opportunity to take a massive step forward in our preparation from here if he can perform well.
“It would be nice if there is a little bit of rain around to help soften the track which is always a good factor for a more mature European horse.”
Saturday’s meeting will only be the starting point for what Lees hopes will be a successful spring carnival for Mustajeer.
The horse has already been nominated for the Caulfield Cup on October 17 and Melbourne Cup on November 3.
“I don’t think the fields will be as strong as previous years given all the travel bans due to COVID-19,” he said.
“But that doesn’t mean there still won’t be a good level of depth in all the big races.
“I think if you’ve got a good horse peaking at the right time there is no reason you can’t take home the prize.”
Looking back
MUSTAJEER entered last year’s Melbourne Cup as one of the strongest international contenders, but his price drifted to 17/1 before the race was run.
And punters made the right decision to stay away from the UK galloper after it finished second last.
But according to jockey Damien Oliver, the speed of the race didn’t suit his horse.
“They just went ridiculously slow and it didn’t suit my horse. Probably didn’t get a chance to run to his best,” Oliver said after the race.
Earlier this year, Lees said the change in conditions may have played a part in the horse’s poor showing on the biggest day on the Australian sporting calendar.
“He’d had a long prep when we got him. He ran well in the Caulfield Cup (finishing sixth) and things didn’t go right in the Melbourne Cup,” Lees said prior to Mustajeer’s Parramatta Cup victory.
“I think we learnt more this prep starting from scratch with him.
“He has settled in well. He’s far from 100 per cent fit so he will improve off the run, but he’s got some quality, so I expect him to run well.”
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