A trip to Hong Kong is in the offing for King Mufhasa as long as he proves on Saturday he has completely recovered from throat surgery.
New Zealand’s reigning champion, who races as Mufhasa at home, ran well at his first two starts for new trainer Bruce Wallace but was found to have a trapped epiglottis after his failure in the Chipping Norton Stakes.
Wallace said it appeared the problem may have gone undetected for some time but after his work on Tuesday at Randwick, King Mufhasa was given the green light for the Group One George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.
“Michael Rodd rode him and and couldn’t stop talking about him afterwards,” Wallace said.
“He got a big tick from him and has improved enormously since his trial.
“As long as he goes well, he will go to the Champions Mile in Hong Kong on the fifth of May.”
The eight-year-old finished less than 1-1/2 lengths from All Too Hard when fifth in the C F Orr Stakes and 3-1/2 lengths third behind the same horse in the Futurity Stakes.
He weakened markedly in the Chipping Norton Stakes and a subsequent veterinary examination found the problem.
“He had been scoped previously and was found to have ulcers which could have covered up the epiglottis problem,” Wallace said.
“The surgery went well but we won’t really know how well until he races on Saturday.
“He barrier trialled OK as he was asked to do by the stewards after his Chipping Norton run.”
Under Stephen McKee, King Mufhasa ran in the past four George Ryders, finishing third to Vision And Power in 2009, third to Danleigh in 2010, 10th to Rangirangdoo in 2011 and fourth to Metal Bender last year.
Wallace said this year’s edition was probably the hardest King Mufhasa had contested and while he was hopeful rather than confident he could match it with three-year-old Pierro, he expected him to run well.
“He’s got the New Zealanders’ draw on the outside, the same as the filly (Ruud Awakening) in the Slipper,” he said.
“Realistically we are looking for a top five finish. That would be good enough to press on with Hong Kong.
“We know what a good traveller he is and I think the Hong Kong race would suit him.
“But the George Ryder is a very hard race and it will be up to Michael to get him over and into a good spot.”
Pierro dominates the TAB’s market at $1.55 with fellow three-year-old Rebel Dane, who finished a close second to him in the Hobartville Stakes, next at $7.50.
King Mufhasa is at $26, the same price as fellow New Zealand Group One winner Veyron, a last-start second to Cox Plate winner Ocean Park in the New Zealand Stakes.
