Mossfun has shown she appreciates wet tracks in her two wins during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, but co-trainer Michael Hawkes does not believe that the classy filly requires a rain affected surface to win the 2014 Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Mossfun will defend her unbeaten record when she takes on Earthquake in the Reisling Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Mossfun made her racing debut with a narrow win in the Inglis Nursery (1000m) at the Randwick Kensington track on December 14 and has been flawless since beginning her autumn campaign; taking out both the Group 3 Widden Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 15 and the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at the same venue on March 1 in dominant fashion.
Hawkes admits that Mossfun clearly enjoyed the slow ground in both the Widden Stakes and Silver Slipper Stakes, but told TVN that he is confident that the daughter of Mossman has the versatility to win on any type of surface.
“I think she is a filly going somewhere,” Hawkes said.
“She won the Inglis on a good track and she is pretty versatile.
“She has done it both ends; I think if she had just won everybody would say that she is just a wet-tracker, but she gave them a bit of a licking there and won with a lot of authority.
“She has definitely trained on and she is just a really nice filly going somewhere.
“She has a very relaxed attitude and is very casual.”
The Reisling Stakes is set to be a key lead-up race for the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on April 5; with Mossfun set to face Blue Diamond Stakes winner Earthquake.
Hawkes believes that the Reisling Stakes will be an outstanding form race for the Golden Slipper and is confident that Mossfun is the type of filly that can go on and have success in what is sure to be a high tempo and chaotic Group 1 event.
“There is cracking fillies in it and we are glad to be one of them,” Hawkes said.
“We know where we are going after this race and she just has the ability to relax, travel and then when you push that button she says go.
“She works through her gears well, but she is just a real professional and she just keeps improving.”
Earthquake ($1.80) is currently a clear favourite in 2014 Reisling Stakes betting markets, while Mossfun is on the second line of betting at a quote of $4.60.
