Mahuta has been backed into 2016 Autumn Stakes odds of $3.20 and trainer Darren Weir is thrilled with the condition of the consistent galloper ahead of the Group 2 event at Caulfield this weekend.
Mahuta will have the chance to record a sixth straight victory in the 2016 Autumn Stakes. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Mahuta an uninspiring start to his racing career at Seymour and Echuca, but since recorded a dominant eight lengths victory in his third race start at Kyneton and since then has stamped himself as one of the most talented three-year-olds in Australia.
The Flying Spur colt claimed his maiden black-type victory in the Listed Gothic Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on October 17 and he went on to take out the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day and the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) on November 14.
Weir then opted to send Mahuta to Queensland for the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) and the star three-year-old led from start to finish to record his fifth straight victory in a row.
Mahuta has been up and racing since September, but Weir told Racing Ahead that he has shown no signs of training off and the Melbourne Cup winning trainer is confident that the Australian Guineas hopeful will prove tough to beat in the 2016 Autumn Stakes.
“Barrier one is a big plus, but if he draws out it doesn’t seem to worry him either,” Weir said.
“He drew out at the Gold Coast and shot to the front.
“He has good gate speed and it just means that if there is no speed he can take control of the race or if they are running along he can just sit in behind them.
“He has a great constitution that horse, he just loves work and he is in really good shape.
“He is very sound and the owners are getting a good ride with him.
“It is very hard to beat these sort of races, but he is going to be blood competitive.
“Brad galloped him at Terang on Monday with Lucky Hussler and they had a really good strong half-mile.
“Normally when they work like that they go and run well, so hopefully they can.”
Mahuta is currently available at 2016 Autumn Stakes odds of $3.20 with Ladbrokes and he is on the second line of betting behind Australia Stakes winner Holler ($3), while Mick Price-trained Sailing By ($8), Victoria Derby winner Tarzino ($8.50) and Team Hawkes-trained Snoopy ($9.50) are also available at single figure odds.
