Native Mambo to collect the Moony
This Saturday sees the seventh running of the $125,000 Moony Stakes – G3 for two-year-old fillies raced over 7.5 furlongs on turf. Native Mambo from the caliracing stable come in as the race favourite but as the punters elect has only been successful once in the last six runnings she will have her work cut out.
PP1 – Native Mambo (KY) caliracing R.Stevenson 4/1
Started career with two unplaced runs before breaking through for first win at third attempt when leading the entire journey. Made it two in a row when lead throughout again when winning the owner restricted Smackdown III Two Year Old Fillies Stakes over 7 furlongs. Sired by El Prado, who has a knack in producing quality turf performers including two times Grade 1 winning two-year-old Pub Crawl; from the Kingmambo mare Icy Mambo who two offspring to race are both Stakes winners at two. Winner of two from her last three starts on dirt and if can reproduce last start effort will be hard to beat.
PP2 – Where Or Win (ENG) checkrasie R.Stack 16/1
Was doing her best work at the end when failed to catch the winner by 1¼ length when making debut in maiden. Again finished strongly when making only other racetrack appearance to win at maiden at second attempt. Sired by the bargain sire Where or When, who is yet to produce a stakes winner, from the moderately performed Exploit mare Explanation. Facing a huge class raise here and may be found short against this class at this stage of her career.
PP3 – Zombie Wave (AUS) bucksplash R.Truitt 5/1
Easily won maiden on debut before just failing when 2nd in the Hooves of Thunder Memorial when tried to lead the entire journey. Followed with a win in the Skogbys Nurse Challenge Stakes when ran impressive speed rating of 82 at only third race start. Home bred by the Australian sire Testa Rossa who has produced two Grade winning two-year-olds including the Camlaw Stakes – G2 winner Buttons. Stepping up to Grade 3 for the first time here, likes to lead in her races and may not get her all her own way in front here.
PP4 – Seymour Darling (AUS) endo H.McLean 6/1
Four career starts have resulted in two wins and two seconds, won maiden at second attempt before running second in two-year-old allowance. Made ground late when last start won the Bounded Shin Challenge at Stakes level over 6.5 furlongs. Home bred sired by Encosta De Lago who produced Rattle My Chain to win the Horsehead Juvenile – G1 as a two-year-old. Racing pattern suggests the extra distance will suit but will need to be further improved to win here.
PP5 – It’s Affirmed (ENG) dafarms J.Stivers 5/1
Failed on debut before making amends to win last three, two starts back collected first Stakes race when beat subsequent Grade winner Kepler RSM in the Jello Hana Handicap. Proved that was no fluke when again won with an easy 2½ length win in The Dallas Bone Special at Stakes level.
Home bred sired by Pivotal who is yet to produce two-year-old grade winner through the super starts producers Sadler’s Wells and Danehill lines. This race looks idea after winning last two at Stakes; speed rating is a little down on some of her rivals but has been winning easy.
PP6 – Woettte’s Rabbit (KY) goldeneye K.Champ 8/1
Won maiden at second attempt before failing behind It’s Affirmed in the Jello Hana Handicap when after racing handy early started to lose ground towards the end to finish fourth. Returned to the winner’s stalls, to make it two from four, when 2¼ length win at allowance level against small field. Sired by Forest Wildcat whose produced two Grade 1 winning two-year-olds including the Breeders Bowl Juvenile Turf – G1 winner Mambo Wildcat; out of the Kingmambo he-mare Rabbit’s Lil King who was a eight times winner on turf. Failed at only other Stakes attempt and may need more time to mature.
PP7 – Thea’s Angel (IRE) nickesyd5 S.Dunlap 5/1
Won owner restricted maiden on debut followed by disappointing 6th at allowance level when only plodded to the line. Improved effort last start when was making ground late to finish 2nd again at allowance level over 6.5 furlongs. Sired by the Danehill sire Holy Roman Emperor through the Kingmambo dam-sire line. Has come into surprising short on the odds and stepping up in class from last couple.
PP8 – Quantuminnortality (ENG) homearoan D.Shuette 8/1
Third on debut before winning maiden at second attempt, followed with two wins at allowance level including last start over 8 furlongs on turf. Home bred sired by the second season sire Starcraft through the Irish River dam-sire line. Winning last three is hard to fault, has ran 79 speed ratings last two so comes into this with a chance.
PP9 – Hockey Chick (IRE) bluenyello R.Wilkinsonboro 18/1
Won owner restricted maiden on debut before two placings at allowance level including last start when tried to lead entire journey when 2nd in four horse field. Sired by Noverre whose produced three Grade 3 two-year-old winners through the dam-sire line of Septieme Ciel who is yet to produce a grade winning two-year-old. Looks outclassed against this field and a top three finish would surprise.
PP10 – Liz Phair (JPN) super7 W.Moss 7/1
Failed at debut at allowance level before a much improved effort and finished strongly for 2nd in a maiden. Won at third start when attempting turf for the first time before last start’s 2nd against small field at Stakes level. Is a full sister to Grade 1 winning two-year-old Whip Smart being sired by Stravinsky out of the Seattle Slew mare Crooked Buda. Has only won once from four attempts is and facing tough task here, not on recent efforts.
1st– Native Mambo 2nd – It’s Affirmed 3rd – Seymour Darling