Mooring 6/06/09

Mooring up to the Challenge in first Leg
Michael LeeSaturday, June 06, 2009

Danny Beasley salute's Mooring's Group 3 victory

For a video reply of the 3YO Challenge, click here.

Michael Freedman’s rise to the top of the training ranks at Kranji gathered further momentum when he claimed his second Group success with Mooring in the $250,000 Group 3 1st Leg of the Three-Year-Old Challenge (1200m) on Saturday.

Two months after Any Humour became the first runner to provide the second-year trainer with his first Singapore feature win in the Group 3 Chairman’s Trophy, another one of his more exciting prospects in Mooring gained another feather to his cap. Freedman currently sits third on the trainer’s premiership with a haul of 28 wins.

Ridden by Danny Beasley, the Bel Esprit three-year-old, who started as joint second elect at $18 with Dr Lemon (Robbie Fradd) was never further than two lengths away from race-leader and $15 favourite Bionic Boy (John Powell) from the jump.

Rounding the home turn, Beasley had a lapful of horse under him, and at the 300m, Mooring, sporting the famous red, purple and white colours of the Mummify Stable was still cantering.

But once his rider gave him his head, the issue was quickly put beyond any doubt. Mooring shot past the tiring Bionic Boy (who probably was feeling the pinch from his early exertions to get to the front from his wide alley) to hit the front at the 200m.

Powerful Ruler (Saimee Jumaat) and Waipapa (Barend Vorster) were closing in on Mooring but Freedman’s game sprinter had already pinched too much of a break for either to run him down. At the wire, the official winning margin was 1 ¼ length with only a short head separating Powerful Ruler from Waipapa.

Longshot Super Gold ran on bravely for fourth for Oscar Chavez while Bionic Boy could only run fifth, his first unplaced effort in six starts.

“He’s come a long way from the stirry horse he was at the beginning. Full credit goes to (senior track rider) Kate (Gibbs) for riding him every day at trackwork and teaching him how to settle,” said Freedman, who was at the double having saddled Jabal Tarik to a stirring win at only his second start two races earlier.

“I’m very pleased with the way he is settling, and depending how he pulls up, we may have a crack at the second Leg (1400m on June 26).

“I’m not sure if he can go a mile, but we’ll take it one step at a time.”

Trainer Michael Freedman (left) looks on as Committee Member Harry Elias (middle) presents Mummify Stable managing owner John O'Neill with the sash following Mooring's victory in the 1st leg of the Three-Year-Old Challenge on Saturday.

Freedman has always held a high opinion of the gelding despite his highly-strung temperament, and knew he had something out of the box after his fast-finishing second to Dream Lad over 1200m last time out.

“That was the run that gave me some confidence he would be up to today’s class, albeit he had only 50.5kg. He was luckless in that race as I think he races handy better.

“When he drew barrier 4 today, I was even more confident he would run well and it’s always good when things pan out.

“Danny has ridden him in most of his races and barrier trials and they have established a great rapport. He gave him every opportunity in the race and produced him at the right time.”

Beasley has now partnered Mooring to three of his four victories, and was in awe at the way the galloper has improved by leaps and bounds.

“The first day he choked down on the sand, he just wanted to go. I told Michael to tie his tongue and he’s been a different horse since.

“Kate is the one who does all the hard work on him. I am just the pilot on raceday.

“He’s always been one of the better three-year-olds here, but I have to say when Rocket Man was not in the line-up, that’s when I told Michael he should win.”

Singapore sprint sensation Rocket Man was at one stage earmarked for the first Leg but was not eventually entered for the race, leaving the race wide open for the other three-year-olds.

Mooring has now amassed prizemoney close to $250,000 and looks set to give his connections more glory if he keeps going on the same upward spiral.

MOORING IS UP TO THE CHALLENGE!
Bel Esprit ‘flyer’, Mooring is the toast of Singapore following his emphatic victory in the S$250,000 3YO Challenge-G3 at Kranji tonight (Saturday).
And the win has only served to enhance what has already been Bel Esprit’s best season to date, with Mooring becoming stakeswinner No. 6 for the Champion Victorian Sire.
Drawing barrier four and sitting just off the pace, Mooring peeled off the fence turning for home and from that point on, the result was never in doubt.
This was the second Group victory for Michael Freedman and, according to the Singapore Turf Club’s correspondent Michael Lee, Mooring is one of the most exciting prospects in the country.
“He’s come a long way from the stirry horse he was at the beginning,” Freedman said post race. “Full credit goes to (senior track rider) Kate (Gibbs) for riding him every day at trackwork and teaching him how to settle.
“I’m very pleased with the way he is settling, and depending how he pulls up, we may have a crack at the second leg (of the Challenge Series, over 1400m on 26 June).
Freedman has always held a high opinion of the gelding despite his highly-strung temperament, and knew he had something out of the box after his fast-finishing second to Dream Lad over 1200m last time out.
“That was the run that gave me some confidence he would be up to today’s class. He was luckless in that race as I think he races handy better.
“Danny (Beasley) has ridden him in most of his races and barrier trials and they have established a great rapport. He gave him every opportunity in the race and produced him at the right time.”
Beasley has now partnered Mooring to three of his four victories, and was in awe at the way the galloper has improved by leaps and bounds.
“He (Mooring) has always been one of the better three-year-olds here, but I have to say when Rocket Man was not in the line-up, that’s when I told Michael he should win.”
Mooring has now raced six times in Singapore for four wins and a second and has banked over a quarter million.
Owned by the Mummify Stable, named in honour of the 5-time Group One winner who won the 2005 Singapore International Cup, the syndicate was represented by John O’Neill who was on hand to accept the trophy with Freedman.
Mooring was purchased at the 2007 Gold Coast Magic Millions by Slade Bloodstock and is living right up to his family’s reputation.
Bred by Ariel Arnott, Mooring is out of the stakeswinning At Talaq mare, Drop Anchor, who has produced five winners from six to race, including Mooring’s full sister, Bel Mer (2009 Robert Sangster Stakes-G1).
Last year a Danbird half sister was sold to Robbie Griffiths for $250,000 – and, although unraced, is showing considerable promise – while a full sister to Bel Mer and Mooring was knocked down to Patinack Farm for $260,000 at the 2009 Gold Coast Magic Millions.
Eliza Park’s Asian representative, Lyle Plumb, said Mooring’s reception was sensational.
“They love the horse, but it’s also encouraging to note that both Eliza Park and Bel Esprit are getting plenty of media recognition,” Lyle enthused.
“(On Course commentator) Michael Maxworthy gave Bel Esprit a huge wrap after Mooring’s win and, as Eliza Park is the only Australian stud represented up here, the press is very favourable.
“It certainly didn’t hurt when Newfoundluck – bred by Eliza Park – came out and won the next race on the program.”
Trained by a great Eliza Park supporter in Dr Yeoh Kheng Chye, this was Newfoundluck’s second win from nine outings, but the 3YO has also run three seconds, two thirds and a fourth since January.