Mossfun has been included in the acceptances for both the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) and the Listed The Sebring (1200m) and Team Hawkes will wait until the end of the week before they decide which race the 2014 Golden Slipper winner will contest at Rosehill Gardens this weekend.
Mossfun has the chance to return to winning form in either the 2015 Birthday Card Stakes or The Sebring this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Mossfun missed the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival due to a virus and she returned to racing with a sixth place finish in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on February 14 after she overraced in the early stages, while she was never able to get into the race when she finished sixth in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Royal Randwick on March 7.
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes told Racing Ahead this morning that he was reasonably happy with the performance of Mossfun in the Challenge Stakes, but he admits that the daughter of Mossman needs to find another level when she contests either the Birthday Card Stakes or The Sebring this weekend.
“We have accepted in both,” Hawkes said.
“Obviously last start over the 1000 metres she got back and her run was ok, while first-up she just wanted to run through the bridle a little bit.
“In hindsight we might have stepped her out over 1000 metres if we had known she would have done that, but she got stirred up at the barriers and Tommy said she just jumped and wanted to get running.
“Last start was ok and she is fitter for it and she looks good.
“The winkers go on just to keep her a little bit more focused, but we are happy with her and we can’t fault her.
“She has done everything right and she certainly has to step-up.”
Mossfun will face 10 rivals if she runs in the Birthday Card Stakes and there are a number of talented fillies and mares in the field for the Group 3 event.
Atmospherical will drop back in class after she finished a credible fifth in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 28, while Ciaron Maher-trained Chloe In Paris will have the chance to record her fourth straight win after starring during the 2015 Melbourne Festival Of Racing.
The Sebring field is also filled with some exciting horses and Mossfun will take on the likes of Godolphin colt Kumaon, the lightly-raced Washington Heights, undefeated Princefamous, last start winner Press Report and Ron Quinton-trained Peeping if Team Hawkes electe to run her in The Sebring.
