Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
The Newcastle-based conditioner Lees had always planned to have Mugatoo at the peak of his powers second-up into The All-Star Mile and the timely addition of rain to soften the Moonee Valley track proved ideal for his 6-year-old.
Lees has been looking skyward nervously during the day and his prayers were answered as the track deteriorated from an opening Good 4 to a Soft 6 by the time his stable star came out to play in the world’s richest mile race on turf.
With the aid of a perfect ride from Hugh Bowman in the Australian Bloodstock silks, Mugatoo came between runners to land the $2,250,000 winner’s cheque at the expense of Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who tried gallantly in the hands of Damien Oliver.
While the rain answered Lees’ prayers, it washed away the chances of the favourite Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel), who looked to be scrambling in the going a fair way out and beat three runners home.
“I just kept looking at the sky all morning and it certainly enhanced our chances, I have to say and it’s great to be a part of it,” Lees said.
“I just kept looking at the sky all morning and it certainly enhanced our chances, I have to say and it’s great to be a part of it.” - Kris Lees
Mugatoo, who had finished fifth when resuming in the G2 Apollo S. at Randwick, raced alongside Russian Camelot in the middle of the field and the gap presented at the perfect time for Bowman to drive between The Harrovian (Fastnet Rock) and Behemoth (All Too Hard) on his way to victory.
“Coming to the corner I just said 'have no bad luck from here please'. When he got clear running I thought for a couple of strides Ollie had his measure, but he really rallied and found and it was great to see.
“Ollie is a great friend, but there are no mates out there. The race has been well-received and even with a restricted crowd there was a great roar when the gates opened, it’s put its footprint on racing.
“I can’t thank Australian Bloodstock enough and when you get a quality horse like this in your stable it’s every trainer’s dream and I’ve been very fortunate.”
Eye-catching European form
A half-brother to stakes winner Elik (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), Mugatoo won two of his six starts for Group 1-winning Newmarket trainer David Simcock before he was purchased by Australian Bloodstock and has subsequently added a further seven victories to his record.
“It’s just so exciting and the emotion involved with this sport. I rode in races two and five and thought the track is not ideal for Mugatoo over a mile against this opposition,” Bowman said.
Hugh Bowman and Mugatoo (Ire) return to scale | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“Then the rain came and he was right in contention. I didn’t expect to ride him like I did and thought I would be three deep and getting a trail because he’s not a hold-up horse, but the rail is the shortest way home and gave him his chance.
“I got into a really good rhythm and the pace wasn’t as frantic as I thought it would be, probably because of the rain.
“I got into a really good rhythm and the pace wasn’t as frantic as I thought it would be, probably because of the rain.” – Hugh Bowman
“Kris Lees has eyed this race off for a long time and gave him one run in Sydney to prep for it and normally his best distance is a bit further, but he came here in the right order.”
He said Oliver aboard Russian Camelot did everything in his power to influence the outcome of the race, but luck went Bowman’s way.
“Damien Oliver is someone I have looked up to from a very young age and had the privilege to ride against for a long time now and we’ve both reached the heights of the sport.
“I could sense him waiting for me to run into trouble, but then all of a sudden I had a gap appear and sometimes the best options come when you don’t have any. Damien had control of my fate, but as things would have, I got the room and I think the best horse won on the day.
“Full credit to the Australian Bloodstock team, they are fantastic at identifying these European horses and brining them her and racing so successfully. To win a race like The All-Star Mile means a great deal.”
