2015 Sandown Guineas Results: Mahuta Wins Again

Mahuta made it four wins on the trot with another strong performance in the 2015 Sandown Guineas at Sandown this afternoon.

Mahuta kept his running run going with a win in the Sandown Guineas at Sandown. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Mahuta kept his running run going with a win in the Sandown Guineas at Sandown. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Mahuta showed that he was a horse with plenty of talent when he recorded a dominant six lengths victory at Kyneton on October 8 and he lived up to that potential with front-running wins in the Listed Gothic Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on October 17 and Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on October 31, but he showed tactical versatility to come off the speed and finish off the top of his rivals in the Sandown Guineas.

Jockey Brad Rawiller said that he planned to be closer to the speed in the early stages of the Sandown Guineas, but he was thrilled with the way that the Flying Spur colt travelled throughout the Sandown Guineas and he believes that the three-year-old can develop into a Group 1 contender during the autumn.

“He is a winner and a bloody good horse,” Weir said.

“We drew the outside gate and we could have tried to clear them, but I didn’t want to spark him.

“I thought I was going to get into the one out one back and a couple kicked up, but I just kept up his rhythm and I was very happy with him coming around the side.

“When he straightened and kicked he was never going to get beat.

“Every run he has been better in and today that was outstanding.

“His sprint from the 400 to the 200 was pretty sensational.

“We said last start that the Australian Guineas is his go and by the way that he has pulled up today, you never know – 12 months down the track he might be in a Cox Plate.”

Trainer Darren Weir hosed down suggestions that Mahuta would end up in the Cox Plate next year, but he confirmed that the three-year-old would likely be sent to the spelling paddock and return for an autumn campaign that will be centred around a tilt at the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington.

“He is an improving type of horse,” Weir said.

“When he won his maiden at Kyneton you probably didn’t expect him to get her, but he is just one of those improving types of horses.

“Today he showed a real turn-of-foot when he straightened and he went really well.

“He makes his own luck, he is a good tough horse and he is a really simple horse to train.

“We will give him a break now for a month and bring him back for something like the Australian Guineas.”

Dal Cielo was extremely well-backed in the lead-up to the Sandown Guineas and he hit the line strongly to finish second, while Don’t Doubt Mamma did not have a great deal of luck in running and could finish no better than third.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.