By Neil Evans
A staggering 81 weeks since his last run is not about to stop a Godolphin four-year-old returning with a bang at Monday’s holiday Canterbury meeting.
Mural Crown, naturally a still lightly raced four-year-old by versatile Group 1 champion Epaulette, hasn’t started since finishing just behind the placegetters in a BM 64 Handicap at the Kensington track on October 4, 2023.
Racing returns to Canterbury on Monday.Credit: Jenny Evans
He had fallen foul of stewards in March that year and handed a general suspension, but finally debuted at Canterbury in style late July, sweeping over the top to beat such handy gallopers as Magic and raging favourite at the time Les Vampires, which soon after won a Saturday BM 88 Handicap at Rosehill.
But Mural Crown then suffered a bleeding attack through winter, which naturally brought an automatic suspension.
He returned at Hawkesbury in mid-September 2023, and was stiff not to win, flooding home late into a place in a BM 64 Handicap before that season-ending run on the Kensington track in similar company.
Then came what seemed endless setbacks until last month when Mural Crown finally stepped back into the trials with a sound effort at Hawkesbury.
He was then given a quieter time on the synthetic at Warwick farm, convincing connections his long-awaited return had been reached.
With 3kg-claiming apprentice Ben Osmand booked to ride, Mural Crown opened about $4.50 in early betting for another BM 64 tilt over 1100m behind resuming three-year-old Apex around $2.30, with another talented first-up runner Cassiel on the third line at $6.50.
Mural Crown could well be part of a big day for the blue jackets of Godolphin.
Later on the program the stable unleashes a strong dual assault in a good quality BM 94 Handicap over 1100m.
Pisanello, a high-class four-year-old by Ribchester, drops back from two handy efforts in black-type company – a close third in a Group 3 at Rosehill before running home fairly in a Listed lineup at Flemington.
Pisanello ($4) won all three starts last spring up to BM 80 level, twice with top jockey James McDonald aboard who returns to the saddle for Monday’s third-up bid.
But drawn closer to the fence is resuming stablemate Renosu ($5.80) who hasn’t raced since dropping out in a Saturday BM 100 early last spring.
A talented five-year-old son of Exceed And Excel, Renosu has won both lead-up trials, and threatens to run a big race fresh from a low draw.
Two other metropolitan stables can also have a big first-up say.
Fire Star ($5.50), which capped a terrific last preparation with four consecutive wins, resumes for the Peter Snowden yard off a quiet trial, while In Flight ($6.00), a smart mare in the Joe Pride stable, is also first-up behind two trials.
Throw in progressive four-year-old Piastri ($5), reloading after a five-week break for Ciaron Maher, and it promises to be a very handy form race.
Supplied by Racing NSW
