Cambridge raider Mr Mojo Risin’ (NZ) (Deep Field) capitalised on a dream rail run to capture his first stakes victory when he claimed the Listed TAB Anzac Mile (1600m) at Otaki.
Carrying the distinctive green colours of his breeders and owners, the Carter family under their Jomara Bloodstock banner, the four-year-old son of Deep Field had suggested he was ready to take the step up in class when powering home to win over 1400m in rating 75 company at the venue earlier in the month.
Senior rider Joe Doyle took over from apprentice Triston Moodley for the feature event on Anzac Day and soon had the Andrew Forsman-trained runner trucking along nicely in the trail behind surprise pacemaker Dark Destroyer (NZ) (Proisir).
Things started to go awry for Doyle approaching the turn as Dark Destroyer felt the pinch and dropped back in his lap just as race favourite Islington Lass (NZ) (Proisir) swooped into contention wider out.
The native Irishman didn’t panic and as soon as the inside run presented itself he shot Mr Mojo Risin’ through and he sprinted clear to hold out Islington Lass by half a length with Lightning Jack (NZ) (Per Incanto) running on gamely for third.
John Carter wasn’t on track for the race but was a keen spectator on television and was rapt to see the horse put his best foot forward.
“Andrew was pretty confident before the race but we thought he would have had more in his favour with a little more moisture in the track,” Carter said.
“The Good4 rating was a concern but in the end he didn’t seem to mind and he dashed away in the closing stages.
“He was stakes placed early on but has needed some time to mature and that has been really beneficial as he looks a much stronger horse now.
“We will be guided by Andrew on where he goes next but with the tracks softening here now there will be options. He knows how to travel as he has been back and forwards to Australia so maybe something in Queensland or in Victoria will be a consideration as well.”
Out of the stakes placed Bahhare mare La Scala (NZ), Mr Mojo Risin’ has now won four of his 16 starts and more than $192,000 in prizemoney with Carter jokingly suggesting his now 22-year-old dam may have to be brought out of retirement.
“We retired his dam La Scala but we might have to re-think that now,” he laughed.
“She is now enjoying her retirement and is used as a nanny for the young ones, and she is thriving.
“We do have a very nice Zed filly named Milanese out of her, which was her last foal.
“She has had a couple of starts with Andrew and when she matures a bit more we think she could be quite handy.”
Forsman also has a number of runners involved in feature events on both sides of the Tasman over the weekend including the trio of White Noise (NZ) (El Roca), Saint Bathans (Maurice) and Devastate (NZ) (Vadamos) in the Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) which is being held at Te Rapa after it fell victim to the abandonment of racing at Ellerslie last Saturday before the race was run.
He also has three-year-olds Koheroa (I Am Invincible) and Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor) in the Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) while Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) runner-up Positivity (NZ) (Almanzor) will contest the Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville.
