A standout performer over her maiden racing preparation through the 2014 Autumn Carnival, co-trainer Wayne Hawkes has revealed classy filly Mossfun is in excellent condition ahead of her racing return this season.
Mossfun completed an impressive trial in Sydney this week. Photo: Steve Hart
Yet to finish outside the places over five impressive starts so far, Mossfun has not been seen at the races since breaking through for a maiden victory at the highest level in the major Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on April 5th.
Forced to remain in the paddock over the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival with several minor ailments, Hawkes told Racing Ahead the team is yet to settle on a specific starting point or path for the Mossman filly this season, but is confident her performance in a Sydney Warwick Farm barrier trial on Wednesday points towards another successful campaign.
“Looks fantastic – had a jump out yesterday and went super,” Hawkes said.
“Not a jump out, a trial in Sydney and went super and ran second.
“She’s back and she’s on-song.
“I don’t know (where she’ll go). I’m in New Zealand now and I haven’t spoken to the boys, but they’re in Sydney at the moment and we just wanted to see how she pulled up, but trialled really, really well so very, very happy to get her back, that’s for sure.”
Not showing much when finishing fifth in a Rosehill barrier trial prior to her racing debut, Mossfun immediately stamped her claims as one to watch when finding the line a comfortable half-length in the clear of a classy field in the Inglis Nursery 2.y.o Open (1000m) in December 2013.
Making a successful transition to black type racing when comfortably taking out the Group 3 Widden Stakes (1100m) on February 15th, Mossfun charged towards favouritism for the Golden Slipper when hitting the line more than four lengths in the clear of closest rival Press Report in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) on March 1st before placing second to classy filly Earthquake in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m) on March 22nd.
A race like the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on February 14th is likely to figure as an ideal first point of call for Mossfun this season.
