THE PRESS, Christchurch Monday, December 5, 2011 RACING B9 CAPTAIN COOK STAKES CONCORDE HANDICAP Mufhasa chases elite ranking Big future tipped Tim Barton the wood of most of his older for Durham Town rivals. However, reaching the Mufhasa has a perfect 10 in his target this season would require Aidan Rodley efforts to shed 2.5kg in the week sights. Mufhasa to win five Group One leading up to the race, weight he The imposing sprinter racked races as a seven-year-old, a tally Donna Logan says Durham Town took off through a combination of up his eighth Group One win at rarely reached at any age, though isn’t the best horse she has trained running and time in the sauna. Trentham on Saturday and his there are no signs he has reached – yet. ‘‘Donna said be three-back, one- connections are keen for the horse his use-by date. But in four weeks time, the off – that was the way we planned to become just the third New His form this term has been on Ruakaka trainer could be tempted it. But it’s hard to beat them off the Zealand galloper to reach double par with anything he has produced to change her mind. front when they run 33 [seconds],’’ figures. earlier, with three wins and a Falkirk four-year-old gelding the Pukekohe jockey said. ‘‘It would be wonderful if he second from four Group One runs. Durham Town took his record to ‘‘I let him roll a bit early but could get to 10,’’ part-owner David Trainer Stephen McKee be- five wins from seven starts – then he came back to me lovely Archer said. lieves that might be because coincidently to match his brand of and we got away with it pretty The only New Zealand gallopers Mufhasa is free of the niggling foot 5over7–inwinningSaturday’s easily in front. They just gave the to win more than nine Group I problems that have frequently Group Two $85,000 Concorde race to me really. races, since the group system was hindered him in the past. Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie. ‘‘He’s got a huge future and you introduced in 1977, have been There is also a chance that Rider Jason Collett pressed saw that then.’’ Sunline (13) and Rough Habit (11). Mufhasa will be tried in Mel- forward on Durham Town and, Logan was full of praise for Remarkably, there is a realistic bourne again before the end of the against all predictions, was able to Collett’s ride and her horse’s chance that the Pentire gelding season. get away with an uncontested lead. courage in fighting off his fast- could join them within his next Archer owns two half-sisters From there, the chestnut sprinter closing rivals. three starts, which may be the and would not be averse to unleashed a 33.83-second closing ‘‘That wasn’t the race plan to $300,000 Telegraph Handicap Mufhasa trying to add to the 600m to stave off the late lead but he just settled beautifully (1200m) at Trentham on January Australian Group One he collected challengers, scoring by half a for him. We thought we’d be three 22, the $200,000 Waikato Sprint in the Toorak Handicap in length from Upsala, Rough Odds back one-out but he jumped and (1400m) at Te Rapa on February 11 October. and Atapi. put himself there pretty and the $200,000 Haunui Classic ‘‘The Orr Stakes [over 1400m at It was just the performance effortlessly. He had a light weight (1600m) at Otaki on February 25. Caulfield] should suit him but at Logan wanted as she prepares to on his back today but he’s done a The Telegraph Handicap, being this stage that is also on Black pit the emerging star sprinter at marvellous job.’’ a handicap, would not be an easy Caviar’s programme,’’ Archer Eight down: Jockey Sam Spratt signals victory aboard Mufhasa in the Captain Cook Stakes at Trentham, his eighth Group One Group One level for the first time Logan bought Durham Town as task but the Waikato Sprint and said. win, in Wellington on Saturday. Photo: FAIRFAX NZ in the $200,000 Railway Stakes a yearling for $43,000 at Karaka, Haunui Classic could be relatively The Orr also clashes with the (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 1. attracted by his physique and soft kills. Waikato Sprint and there is Telegraph is likely, his connec- Spratt has been the rider in all careless riding charge in the ‘‘I’ve had good horses like presence. The likes of three-year-old unlikely to be much enthusiasm in tions will assess the weights first. bar one of Mufhasa’s Group One Captain Cook but because she had Vapour Trail, Good Faith – El ‘‘He’s an outstanding-looking Antonio Lombardo may emerge to the Mufhasa camp for crossing the The Captain Cook win on wins and the Captain Cook took to fly out of Wellington soon after Duce was a great horse – but this horse and has been since the first test Mufhasa at weight-for-age but Tasman to take on Black Caviar. Saturday was his 16th, from 47 her own Group One tally to 11. the last race, the hearing was horse is showing so much with so day I saw him,’’ she said Jimmy Choux is unlikely to be a Mufhasa will now have a break starts, and took his career However, there will be a price adjourned till the Ellerslie meeting little racing,’’ said Logan, who afterwards. rival and Mufhasa seems to have and although a fourth start in the earnings to $2.73 million. to pay. Spratt pleaded guilty to a on Wednesday. Fairfax NZ trains in partnership with her ex- ‘‘He’s got an outstanding phys- husband Dean. ique. He’s typical of the type of ‘‘That was just his seventh horse I try to buy. I don’t buy raceday start and he’s won a many small horses. I just like that AUSTRALASIAN GALLOPS Group Two race. It’s a pretty mean big, solid-type of horse, good walk, effort. He’s not my best horse yet good head.’’ but he is potentially. He hasn’t Logan, who was presented with won a Group One race. If he wins a a ‘‘baby book’’ from Whakatane Next spring’s Caulfield Cup goal for flying Jeu de Cartes Group One then he’s pretty close to breeders Debbie and Peter Seebeck it. He’s pretty exceptional.’’ after the sale, with photos from his Logan said Durham Town, foaling right through to the sales Aidan Rodley In the hands of Jason Collett, Baker’s assistant trainer Andrew for rider Jason Collett, angled in the open race here last week.’’ whose Ellerslie record is five wins with accompanying notes, was so Jeu de Cartes recorded her fifth Forsman said. three wide from the 600m and led Baker has entered Jeu de from six starts, would go straight taken by Durham Town that she Jeu de Cartes was revealed as a win from 10 starts and showcased ‘‘It’s been a very good family soon after turning for home. Cartes in the Group Two City Of into the Railway without another went back and bought his yearling Caulfield Cup candidate for next her staying potential. and she’s got the class of the From there she was able to Auckland Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie run. half-sister by Lucky Unicorn at the spring after the Murray Baker- A half-sister to Group One AJC family, too,’’ Forsman said after- stave off the challenges of her on January 1, as well as next ‘‘We don’t need to race him yearling sales this year for just trained Stravinsky mare ran out a Derby-winning stallion Nom du wards. ‘‘Murray’s always said rivals, coming clear to score by month’s Group One Wellington again – he knows his way around $1000. comfortable winner of Saturday’s Jeu out of dual Group One winner she’s his Caulfield Cup horse for one and a quarter lengths. Cup (2400m) at Trentham and the here now,’’ she said. Durham Town’s eighth dam, $15,000 Hospice North Shore 2200 Prized Gem, Jeu de Cartes showed next year.’’ Jeu de Cartes settled in Collett said: ‘‘She just keeps Group One Auckland Cup (3200m) For Jason Collett, Durham Raphis, was a sister to champion at Ellerslie. she had inherited plenty ability, fourth place, one-out and one-back stepping up. She went a good race at Ellerslie in March. Fairfax NZ Town’s win was just reward for his galloper Phar Lap. Fairfax NZ SPORTS RESULTS YESTERDAY'S RESULTS WAIMATE TC CUNNINGHAM PLUMBING & INTERPAINT TROT, 1/2L. Time: 3:27.71. Win: $2.50 (6). Places: $1.50, (11/7). TAB Treble: $2886.20 (6/11/5). TAB Quaddie: IRT MOBILE PACE, $6500, 2600m — 1-1 ❯❯ 77 75, Ashley Hall (AUS) 73 71 77 76, Paul Spargo 3$6000, 2600m — 1-1 Carla Bruni (3) P Davis $7.50, $2.50. Quin: $32.40. Tri: $312.90 (6,11,5). $20322.90 (7/6/11/5). Sub: Malak Uswaad (7). 10Emaline Franco (7) D Dunn 1; 7-7 Bwana BOWLS (AUS) 71 75 75 76, James Byrne (SCO) 78 70 73 76, CLEAVE FAMILY & WAIMATE WORKOUTS PACE, 1; 7-9 Kayleighs Dream (6) S Walkinshaw 2; 15-14 First4: $2474.00 (6,11,5,14). TAB Double: $13.50 Trainer: Eion Latimer, Oamaru. Breeding: 7g Village (8) N Williamson 2; 2-2 Lord Jowers (6) G O’Reilly 3; INTERCLUB Tim Leonard (am, NZL) 72 74 73 78.