Horse Racing

Robert Smerdon’s in-form filly Mosheen is closing in on 2011 Thousand Guineas betting favourite Atlantic Jewel, firming in her price to win Wednesday week’s showdown after her brilliant victory in the $250,000 Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemingtonon Sunday.

Edward Manifold Stakes winner Mosheen may attempt the Thousand Guineas - Crown Oaks double this spring

Fastnet Rock three-year-old Mosheen, runner-up to superstar colt and Friday night’s Manikato Stakes winner Sepoy in the Golden Slipper at just her second career start last season, posted her first victory since her debut win back in March in yesterday’s Edward Manifold Stakes.

Mosheen was fourth-up for the season, her previous results including a fifth to Sepoy in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) when defeated only two lengths and a devastatingly close third to Bliss Street in the Group 3 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m).

With regular rider Danny Nikolic aboard, Mosheen ($5) showed great improvement in the Edward Manifold when turning the tables to beat home Bliss Street ($5.50) by just under three lengths while the Mark Kavanagh-trained favourite Celebrity Girl ($2.50) finished a further three-quarters of a length back in third.

The big race win saw bookmakers around Australia, including our preferred Luxbet, slash their price on Mosheen to win the $500,000 Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 12.

Prior to Sunday’s success, Mosheen was rated a $7 chance in the Thousand Guineas 2011 odds.

She has since shortened into $4.60, sitting on the second line Thousand Guineas betting behind odds-on favourite Atlantic Jewel ($1.80 Luxbet), an unbeaten filly from the Kavanagh stables.

While Smerdon knows that Atlantic Jewel will take some beating in the Thousand Guineas, he believes Mosheen has the ability to do just that if things work in their favour.

“There is an old saying in racing, you never miss a race just because of one horse, but Atlantic Jewel is some horse,” Smerdon admitted.

Nikolic, too, admitted that Atlantic Jewel was an impressive filly but that he was more than happy to be partnering with Mosheen in the Thousand Guineas this year.

“Every time I ride her she gives me 110 percent,” he said.

“She will be strong at the trip and I think she is a good ride going forward toward the (Crown) Oaks.

“I wouldn’t be shying away from one horse.

“I’d say we are going to test Kav’s horse, don’t worry about that.”

A good performance in the Thousand Guineas and Mosheen may continue onto the $1 million Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on November 3 during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

“Definitely the Thousand Guineas is our main aim and we’re hoping with her pedigree that she’ll stretch out and be here on Oaks Day,” Smerdon said.

Crown Oaks 2011 futures odds at Luxbet currently have Atlantic Jewel ($3.80) as the top elect followed by Mosheen at $6.

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2011 Edward Manifold Stakes Results & Finishing Order