Boban repeats Epsom win in Moonga Stakes

A repeat Epsom Handicap performance by Boban saw the much improved four year old take out the Group 3 $150,000 Sportingbet Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield today.

Boban wins the Moonga Stakes at Caulfield

Boban wins the Moonga Stakes at Caulfield. photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

As he did in the Group 1 $500,000 The Star Epsom (1600m) at Randwick on October 5, Glyn Schofield dropped Boban back to last and passed every runner in the field to score a narrow but dominant win.

The only difference was that at Caulfield today, Schofield stuck to the fence as opposed to his Epsom ride when he had no option but to circle the entire field.

Winning trainer Chris Waller is amazed how much Boban has improved this campaign and will now push onto the Group 1 $1m Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

“Half way up the straight I thought we are on track for the Emirates,” Waller said.

“Now we will have to carry a bit of weight in the Emirates. On the strength of his form this preparation the most rewarding thing is that he is going to come back a very good horse regardless of where he runs in the Emirates.”

“He just has confidence now and it just shows you what a bit of age does as Bart Cummings always tells us.”

Since being gelded Boban has won his last four starts and will be lining up to win his second Group 1 in the Emirates.

Schofield knew he had a ton of horse underneath him and didn’t panic in the early stages when so far back and when the field fanned on the home turn, he elected to stick to the fence.

In the end Boban ($3.60 favourite) won with plenty up his sleeve even though he only beat Strawberry Boy ($8.50) by a head with Galah ($14) a further length and a half away in third spot.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.