Mouro will take his place in the Festival Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday after trainer Tony McEvoy decided against a trip to Brisbane.
Concerned about striking a hard track in Sydney, McEvoy hedged his bets by entering the six-year-old for the Recognition Stakes at Doomben.
Mouro, Craig Williams
But a wide draw in Brisbane and the promise of a cushioned surface at Rosehill have convinced the trainer to give Mouro his final Villiers Stakes lead-up closer to home.
A $9 chance in an open betting market, Mouro will carry 1kg less than topweight and 2011 Festival Stakes winner Monton when he shoots for his first win since a Group Three victory at Flemington in March.
“He’s improved from his first-up run and while he’s not a big horse he does carry weight quite well,” McEvoy said.
“But it’s a very strong race.”
McEvoy has also scratched Shiraz from a race at Doomben in preference for the TAB Rewards Handicap at Rosehill.
The former country-trained sprinter is building an imposing strike-rate with his last-start Rosehill win taking his record to five victories from eight starts.
McEvoy believes the horse has the ability to measure up to a black-type race, provided he can curb his aggression.
“I think he’s got that potential provided he’s got the racing manners to go with it,” he said.
