As punters, we know there is no exact science to finding a winner.
It’s not like, you vs Usain Bolt over 100m. We know who wins that.
It just isn’t that easy. But sometimes, occasionally, rarely….a sign of things to come does appear.
You just have to have eyes to see it, nerve to follow it, and faith it all pans out.
So – that’s the preamble.
Today at Muswellbrook, I think the universe has revealed itself in one of those rare moments of absolute racing clarity.
And if you can’t see it, perhaps this will open your eyes.
The Wildcard Race for the Country Championships is on and MAHALANGUR is the horse.
Why?
Well, leading bush trainer Cody Morgan saddles four runners in the race today. All are smart and all have a legitimate shot at forcing their way into the Final field.
But Mahalangur (O’Reilly-But Beautiful) screams to be the pick of them.
This would be because of a few factors.
Firstly, he is smart having won 4 races thus far, and has form around stakes horses. Hell, he finished 2 lengths behind Trekking one day and that horse came out and placed in the $13million The Everest.
In 2018 at just his 9th run in a race, Mahalangur carried the same weight and beat home Fierce Impact at Rosehill. That horse has since won 2 x Gr 1 races.
Mahalangur has raced and beaten Star Of The Seas, twice, and he has won $647,000 in prizemoney, has won 7 x city races, is Gr 1 placed and last start won at Gr 3 level. But he couldn’t beat Mahalangur.
And, Mahalangur has won twice on Good tracks – it is most likely going to be a Good surface this afternoon. If not, and it’s still a little on the Soft side, he is unbeaten in two starts on Soft ground too.
But look past all that.
That’s not the universe talking to us. That’s form and logic.
Cody Morgan wouldn’t have rung one of Australia’s leading riders in James McDonald, who yesterday rode in 4 x Gr 1 races for a pair of 2nds, a 3rd and an eye-catching 5th in the Golden Slipper, for no reason.
Nope. He would have told him that Mahalangur is absolutely flying and that he would be his ride in the $500,000 Country Championships Final on 4 April. There is an honesty code among trainers and jocks. The ONLY reason McDonald would have taken this ride is because Morgan believes the horse will win the Final.
So, a day after the pomp and pageantry of the rich Golden Slipper day card, and in an environment where we are told to restrict social interaction, McDonald will drive all the way up the lonely highway for one ride at Muswellbrook.
One ride!
That of Mahalangur in the Wild card race today, with a view to the future.
And the future (ie the Final) doesn’t happen unless he finishes top 3 today.
Currently, McDonald, Morgan and Mahalangur are $3.30 with Sportsbet.
I suggest you get on with everything you can afford.
