Mujadale posted an impressive start-to-finish win in the 2014 Ballarat Cup (2200m), and trainer Peter Jones is confident the eight-year-old is in the right form to successfully defend his crown in the featured country race on Saturday.
Mujadale is primed for a big performance in Saturday’s 2015 Ballarat Cup. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Jumping from the gates well in 2014, Mujadale was allowed to stride forward by jockey Kevin Forrester and take up a position well in the clear of the field of fifteen; setting a quick tempo from the outset.
Opening a big gap over the back straight, the Mujahid gelding continued to stride clear rounding onto the final straight and was simply too far ahead for his rivals to figure; hitting the line close to four lengths from closest rival At First Sight.
Jones has been pleased with the gelding’s condition and performances leading into the 2015 Ballarat Cup and is confident he is primed for a return to winning form on Saturday.
“I think he’s going as well as last year,” Jones told AAP.
“His last start was really good and if he had won last time I would say his form would be better than last year.
“He probably should have won if he had got into clear running in the straight.
“If he could have got out at the top of the straight when he wanted to it might have been different.
“He’s back in form and it’s all looking good.”
Claiming ten wins and as many minors through a total of 46 career starts so far, Mujadale progressed to a credible fifth in the Listed Thoroughbreds Handicap (2635m) following his win in the Ballarat Cup last year before placing fourth in the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington on January 1st.
Ending his campaign third in the Colac Cup (2150m), Mujadale returned this time for fifth amongst classy competition in the Craig Opie Cup (1600m) on September 5th, but failed to figure when beating only one runner home in the Listed Penang Trophy (1800m) at Morphettville on September 19th.
Having since placed sixth in the Horsham Cup (1800m) and third in the Ararat Cup (2000m), Mujadale was included amongst a talented list of 29 Ballarat Cup nominations on Tuesday.
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