Stephen McKee knows what to expect from grand campaigner King Mufhasa but says the unknown of just how good Atlantic Jewel is makes for an interesting contest in Saturday’s All Aged Stakes.
King Mufhasa, a nine-time Group One winner, is one of only three runners under double-figure odds for the 1400m feature at Randwick with unbeaten filly Atlantic Jewel the favourite at $1.22.
“We know his (King Mufhasa’s) limit and I know he is going to run well and the 1400 metres is ideal,” McKee said.
“We just don’t know how good the filly is yet but everything suggests she is one right out of the box.”
McKee is in a good position to judge the talent of Atlantic Jewel having trained champion Sunline working alongside his father Trevor.
Sunline beat the older horses in the 1999 Doncaster in Sydney when she was an autumn three-year-old.
King Mufhasa has earned more than $2.5 million during his career with seven Group Ones in New Zealand and two in Melbourne.
The gelding returned to New Zealand after his close fourth in the Group One George Ryder Stakes three weeks ago before arriving back in Sydney on Tuesday for the All Aged.
Atlantic Jewel returned from injury with a breathtaking performance to win the Group Two Sapphire Stakes (1200m) against fillies and mares two weeks ago at Randwick.
Saturday’s race will be her first weight-for-age test.
McKee isn’t going into the race expecting to topple Atlantic Jewel but believes there are still questions the filly needs to answer which gives him hope of an upset.
“He (King Mufhasa) is going to strip very fit tomorrow and we’re happy going into the race,” McKee said.
“Obviously no-one really knows just how good Atlantic Jewel is yet and she’s still got to step up to the hardened older weight-for-age horses so it will be a very interesting race.
“I think it’s only a matter of time though (for Atlantic Jewel) because she just looks so good and does everything she is supposed to, but there’s a few different things tomorrow.
“She’s drawn barrier one and is going to have horses around her at least for a while where generally she is out in the open air.
“She’s also second-up after two weeks so there’s a few little spanners to perhaps be thrown into the works and my old horse knows how to quicken and attack the line.
“He’ll make sure she has to be at her best.”
The All Aged Stakes is one of four Group One races to bring to a close this year’s Sydney autumn carnival.
