Mahuta made it six wins on the trot with a brave front-running victory in the 2016 Autumn Stakes at Caulfield this afternoon.
Mahuta scores an all the way win in the Autumn Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Jockey Brad Rawiller rode Mahuta aggressively in the early stages of the Autumn Stakes to take up the running, while Damien Oliver elected to take a sit on favourite Holler.
Mahuta kicked clear at the top of the straight, but he tired in the final 200 meters and Sailing By and Snoopy charged at him late, but the Magic Millions Guineas winner held on bravely to record yet another black-type win.
Rawiller has developed an excellent partnership with Mahuta and he was quick to praise the toughness of the horse that he already considers one of the favourite gallopers that he has ever ridden.
“He is just a ripper of a horse to ride,” Rawiller said.
“I had to push a little bit and in the first 50 metres he was quick into gear, but as soon as I got to the front they just left me.
“I could have gone slower and I knew I was going to be hard to beat.
“I still thought he had his chance with 100 to go and although I wouldn’t have wanted it any further today, he knows where the winning post is this horse.
“He does what he needs to do and he always has something extra to give.”
Trainer Darren Weir was quick to praise the toughness of Mahuta in the Autumn Stakes, but he admitted after the race that he would have liked to see the three-year-old with a bigger lead in the final stages of the race.
The son of Flying Spur has been up and running since he made his racing debut at Seymour in September, but Weir said that at this stage the colt will press on to the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 5.
“The horse has done a great job and he is a very tough horse,” Weir said.
“He hasn’t been out of work since he had his first start and these are the type of horses that owners can dream of.
“He makes his own luck by going forward, he stepped away a bit slow and he had to use him a bit early and then made them chase him on the corner, so he was always going to walk a bit in the last 50 yards and we just had to hope that he had a big enough break.
“He had five weeks between runs from Queensland to here and we haven’t missed him in work, but that will clean him right up again.
“I guess if he does well, they are only three once and he will be there somewhere.”
Sailing By and Snoopy both hit the line strongly to fill out the Autumn Stakes placings, while Victoria Derby winner Tarzino stormed home late in an outstanding first-up performance.
