Co-trainer Michael Hawkes has revealed that Mossfun could return to racing in the 2015 Light Fingers Stakes at Royal Randwick next Saturday after impressing with her performance in a barrier trial this morning.
Mossfun is close to a return to racing after impressing co-trainer Michael Hawkes with her effort in a barrier trial this morning. Photo by: Steve Hart
Mossfun contested the sixth barrier trial at Rosehill Gardens this morning over 900 metres and she was settled on the rail behind the leaders in the early stages of the trial.
The Mossman filly was unable to find clear running in the last 300 metres and was kept under a tight hold, but she was allowed to stretch out in the final 100 metres and she hit the line well.
Hawkes told Sky Racing HQ that he was happy with the barrier trial performance of Mossfun and he believes that the talented filly is ready to return to the races, in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m), for the first time since her memorable victory in the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) last year.
“She had a nice easy trial this morning and she jumped very good,” Hawkes said.
“She got in behind them and relaxed well, I was very happy with her.
“She got a little bit cramped for room up the straight, but the last 100 metres she was certainly doing her best.
“She put her best foot forward again and she seems to have pulled up well.
“She is a quality filly and when everybody sees her trial they know her well.
“She has been off for a long time now, but in saying that she hasn’t been off work for the whole nine months and she has been going in and out.
“She is going really good and where we want her to be at this point in time.
“She will probably step-out Saturday week, but we will probably get through this trial first.”
Mossfun took out the Group 3 Widden Stakes (1100m), Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) and Golden Slipper during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, but she suffered from a virus at the start of her spring campaign and Team Hawkes elected not to risk her at the races and saved her for an autumn campaign.
Team Hawkes are yet to plot a path for Mossfun, but the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21 and the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on April 4 have both been named as potential options for the Group 1 winner.
