Written by Paul Vettise
Co-trainer David Hayes believes there is a sense of timing about Minhaaj (Exceed And Excel), who will now be given her chance at higher honours following a hollow victory at Flemington to remain unbeaten.
The filly was coming off a maiden success at Bendigo and handled a rise of class with aplomb to put a wide margin on her rivals G2 TBV Thoroughbred Breeders S., the fifth time Hayes has won the 2-year-old event.
Minhaaj, a Shadwell Stud homebred, will now head to Sydney but whether she makes it all the way to the G1 Golden Slipper S. is in the balance.
“I don’t know whether she will get to the big one, but she’s hit form at the right time and a lot are losing it,” Hayes said. “She was terrific and ran a strong 1200 metres. Her first run rated brilliantly, we think she’s pretty good.”
“I don’t know whether she will get to the big one, but she’s hit form at the right time and a lot are losing it.” - David Hayes
Minhaaj was a pick-up ride for Daniel Stackhouse after original jockey Luke Nolen was unwell and he made the most of his opportunity.
“I jumped in the car when I got the call-up and I was lucky to get here in time,” Stackhouse said.
“She began nicely and relaxed well. I got the momentum going 500 metres out and I ended up in front a bit sooner than I wanted, but I didn’t have to pull the persuader.
“She’s got a very bright future and she’s pulled up great, so hopefully it’s on to bigger things.”
Daniel Stackhouse
Minhaaj is a daughter of Telaawa (Lonhro), who is from a family that has produced 2-year-old stars including the G1 Blue Diamond S. winner and sire Reward For Effort and the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Overreach (Exceed And Excel).
Clock turned back
Meanwhile, jockey Brett Prebble wound back the years when he partnered Lunar Fox (Foxwedge) to win the G2 MSS Security Sires’ Produce S. for his former master Terry O’Sullivan, who trains with daughter Katrina.
Prebble won the event in 2003 aboard Winestock (El Moxie {USA}) for O’Sullivan, to whom he was apprenticed, when the race carried Group 1 status.
Lunar Fox wins the G2 MSS Security Sires’ Produce S. with Brett Prebble aboard
“It’s wonderful to do it for my old boss. He started me and made me and my son Thomas was strapping this horse so it’s great,” Prebble said.
Lunar Fox settled behind the leaders and came through strongly for his second career win at the expense of Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon), who close well when he got into the open.
“He’s a smart horse and he had a fair bit left. He’s a beautiful horse with a great nature,” Prebble said.
Lunar Fox wasn’t among the leading fancies, despite a tidy lead-up win at Ballarat.
“He’s an under-rated horse and we have our moments now and then,” Terry O’Sullivan said.
Lunar Fox was purchased for $40,000 out of Kelly Thoroughbreds’ draft at the Inglis Melbourne Gold Yearling Sale and is out of the stakes winner Grant’s Moon (USA) (Malibu Moon {USA}). It is the family fo the multiple Group 1 winner and influential sire Singspiel (Ire).
Lunar Fox as a yearling
