Mouro has been included in the 2014 Recognition Stakes field, but the talented import may not contest the Listed event at Doomben on Saturday after he drew barrier 13.
Mouro is unlikely to contest the 2014 Recognition Stakes after he drew towards the outside of the field for the Listed event. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Mouro made his return to racing with an impressive second behind Heart Testa in the Cellarbrations Kingswood Handicap (1350m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 15 and trainer Tony McEvoy elected to include the Grand Slam entire in the nominations for both the Recognition Stakes and the Listed Festival Stakes (1500m) in Sydney.
The Festival Stakes barrier draw was far kinder to Mouro and the five-year-old is expected to remain in Sydney for the $100,000 race at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
While Mouro is not expected to take his place in the Recognition Stakes field, the race has still drawn a strong field and the top weight of 57 kilograms will be carried by Tony Gollan-trained Brave Ali.
Brave Ali returned to racing with a credible fourth in the Padua College Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on November before he failed to fire in the Super Starfish Handicap (1400m) at the Gold Coast on November 15, but Gollan is confident that the O’Reilly gelding will produce a much improved effort in the Recognition Stakes.
“Brave Ali had no luck at the Gold Coast the other day and I think that we will see a rather large form reversal on Saturday,” Gollan told Racing Ahead.
“He is coming along really well.”
Darci Be Good is one of three gallopers taking winning form into the Recognition Stakes, along with Imperil and Abu Ben Adam, and has the chance to record his first win at black type level since he took out the 2012 edition of the Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m).
The Darci Brahma gelding has had a lengthy preparation, but he has returned to a semblance of his best form with wins in both the Easy As Pool Cleaning Handicap (2040m) at Doomben on October 18 and the Garrards Horse & Hound Handicap (1600m) at the same venue on November 8.
Grand Prix Stakes placegetter Rudy has not recorded a race win this preparation, but he finished a close second behind subsequent Keith Noud Handicap winner Rocket To Glory in the QANTAC Handicap (1200m) at Doomben on October 18 and an unlucky second behind Hopfgarten in the Padua College Handicap (1350m) at the same venue on November 1.
Hopfgarten beat Rudy first-up in the Padua College Handicap, but he was another galloper that failed to fire in the Super Starfish Handicap and he was found with a minor injury after the race, but trainer Robert Heathcote is confident that the Mossman gelding has bounced back from the minor setback.
Veteran gelding Steel Zip, Natalie McCall-trained Lady Echelon, Mossman gelding Double Impact, Bryan Guy-trained Noisy Ocean, Spear Chief Quality winner Aldini, the in-form Grayson Square and Liam Birchley-trained Goldslick round out the 2014 Recognition Stakes field.
