Gerald Ryan thinks Mr Mosaic might be getting closer to his best at Rosehill on Saturday after a brief flirtation with blinkers set his preparation back.
Mr Mosaic has led and been reeled in in the Starlight Stakes and a benchmark 88 won by I Am Me in near record time over 1200m since a spell but hasn’t been the same horse that won six of his 18 starts and twice over 1100m at Rosehill.
Mr Mosaic hugs the rail to win at Rosehill last year.Credit:Getty
“It has taken us until now to get him to relax, and it looks like a race that should suit him on Saturday,” Ryan said of the failed experiment with blinkers.
“He is a horse that likes to get his own way in front. He doesn’t like pressure and, in this small field, he should get that. He has been getting better at home.”
When Mr Mosaic has got his own way in front over 1100m at Rosehill, he beaten Belluci Babe and Tycoonist in benchmark 88 company.
“I think he’s going a lot better now and, with the right run, you will see a big improvement. He should hang on a lot better, especially at Rosehill,” Ryan said.
The only other pace element to Saturday’s race seems to be Melbourne visitor Midwest, but Mr Mosaic should get the soft run he requires.
Godolphin three-year-old Spacewalk, which returns a gelding, has been heavily supported into $1.95 at Sportsbet. Dehorned Unicorn is considered the only other chance at $3.50, while Mr Mosaic is a $17 chance.
Godolphin trainer James Cummings is hoping the gelding operation will get the son of Exosphere to focus.
“He has thrown away a couple of races as a colt, so we are hoping he can show his true ability now,” Cummings said. “His work has been very good, and we just want to that transfer to raceday.”
Infatuated owners playing numbers game
Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker could become the most popular man on the Gold Coast if Infatuation can win the Magic Millions Classic on Saturday for the MyRacehorse syndicate.
Infatuation, which is the top seed in terms of prizemoney with nearly $300,000 in the bank heading into the $2 million Classic, has a vast micro-share ownership.
Infatuation wins at Randwick on New Year’s Eve. Credit:Getty
“We had a function the other night and they came from all over Australia. When you see them all in a room it gives you an idea how big it is,” Baker said. “There are thousands of them and they are so excited, and they should be.
“If she can win on Saturday I don’t think there would have been a bigger ownership group to win a million-dollar race, so I should be right for a drink.”
Infatuation was the tote favourite on Friday and has been very well-backed in futures markets as her owners support their dream.
“With MyRacehorse, miRunners and the Racing League, if they get a good one they are always well backed early,” TAB’s Glenn Munsie said. “Their owners get excited and want to take the price, so they are always a loser for us going into raceday.
“Infatuation is just that in the Magic Millions. Even though she has got out in betting from $9.50 to $14 [in Fixed Odds betting] since the draw, they are still backing her.”
Infatuation has the most experience heading into the Magic Millions with four starts and a win last time out at Randwick. She has improved with each run and was only nabbed late by Barber in the Golden Gift, when she found the front too early and was left a sitting shot.
She had experienced traffic problems in unplaced efforts in the Kirkham Plate on debut and the Wyong Magic Millions either side of the Golden Gift, and then when she finally found a clear run she won at Randwick.
“We have seen improvement on this journey and we are very lucky to have Rachel King riding her, who knows the filly as well as me.
“There is no doubt we will use the good draw and go forward, but I will leave it up to Rachel where she wants to be in the run.
“We know we have a tough filly that tries her heart out, and Rachel will get it right.”
There has been a shift in betting towards two-year-olds that will race on the speed in the Magic Millions after the Gold Coast favoured leaders last week.
Munsie said the biggest betting move had been for unbeaten Queenslander Skirt The Law, which is $14 to $6 since she drew barrier three on Tuesday.
“Skirt The Law from her draw looks the leader and the money keeps coming for her because of that,” Munsie said. “The favourite [Empire Of Japan] is still 25 per cent of our hold this week, but he’s a horse that has had no speed at his two starts and will need a little luck.
“Empire Of Japan is still a $4.80 chance but I think he could get out further with the leaders start to win tomorrow.”
