Trainer David Murphy is hoping a decision not to head to Melbourne with promising mare Mossriver will be vindicated at Doomben.
Murphy tossed up between sending Mossriver south for a fillies and mares race on Oaks day at Flemington next week or stay at home to run at Doomben on Saturday.
“It was a nice race for her on Oaks day in Melbourne but I’m happy enough to send her around at Doomben and get the money in the bank,” Murphy said.
Murphy expects a strong performance from Mossriver in the Mount Alvernia College Handicap (1200m) following her successful comeback at Caloundra on October 16.
“She only just won when she resumed but she was off the track and had had enough by the time she got to the front,” Murphy said.
Murphy plans only a light preparation during the summer months before setting Mossriver for next year’s Brisbane winter carnival.
“She’s a good mare whose only been out of a place twice in her life,” he said.
“They were at the start of the year when she ran sixth at Eagle Farm behind Catashee then fourth to Wabeel in her last run before spelling.
“It was a great run that day. She sat five deep with 57 kilos and only got beaten 1-1/2 lengths by Wabeel.
“She got to the lead at the 200 metres after doing all the hard work and only just got run down.”
Murphy isn’t afraid of the second-up hoodoo as Mossriver has won and finished third at her only two attempts.
“She’s going to be very hard to beat and I’ll see how she goes before deciding where next to go with her,” Murphy said.
“If she runs well enough I might give her a couple of easy weeks and get her ready for the Just Now Quality.”
The Listed Just Now Quality (1300m) at Eagle Farm on December 17 is restricted to fillies and mares.
Ultimately, Murphy believes Mossriver is capable of picking up a Listed or Group race during the Brisbane winter carnival.
Mossriver is already Group-placed having finished third on a heavy track behind Benny’s Buttons and Falino in the Group Three Vo Rogue Plate (1350m) at Doomben on Boxing Day.
Benny’s Buttons has since gone on to be runner-up to Torio’s Quest in the Group Two Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June and third to Shenzhou Steeds in the Listed Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) at Caloundra in July.
“It was a good run behind Benny’s Buttons and Falino who are two very good horses,” Murphy said.
“She had never been on a heavy track before and it was bottomless that day.”
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