The success of star New Zealander Jimmy Choux last week has trainer Stephen McKee keen to uphold Kiwi pride in Saturday’s George Ryder Stakes.
The John Bary-trained Jimmy Choux beat the Aussie three-year-olds on their own turf in the Rosehill Guineas and McKee believes the George Ryder could be one of King Mufhasa’s best chances at a breakthrough big-race Australian victory.
The McKee-trained multiple Group One winner is in town for his third crack at the Group One George Ryder (1500m) at Rosehill having finished third the past two years, once on a heavy track and once on slow ground.
The George Ryder has attracted a high-quality line up with nine individual Group One winners among Wednesday’s 15 acceptors for the weight-for-age contest.
“He arrived last night and everything has gone well,” McKee said of King Mufhasa.
“He’s used to it (travelling) as he’s been here the last couple of years.
“I think this is going to be the best track he’s had to run on in this race, hopefully the weather report remains okay and the track will be ideal for him.
“(A dry track) would definitely help him, he’s won in the wet before when things have gone his way but he’s a better horse on firmer tracks.”
King Mufhasa, to be ridden by Michael Rodd, came up with barrier nine and was installed as a $10 chance with TAB Sportsbet with Coolmore Classic winner Aloha favourite in a wide-open affair at $6.
“It’s a true Group One race,” McKee said.
“And I guess if they didn’t have the Queen Of The Turf on the same program it would be even stronger.”
Glamour mare More Joyous is the $1.20 favourite to win the Queen Of The Turf (1500m) which is restricted to fillies and mares.
The Queen Of The Turf also features dual Group One winner Melito in the seven-horse field.
McKee, however, is glad the Queen Of The Turf is on Saturday as it means King Mufhasa won’t come up against More Joyous, the mare who he finished fourth to in the Group One Futurity Stakes (1400m) in Melbourne five weeks ago.
Prior to the Futurity, King Mufhasa claimed back-to-back Group Ones in New Zealand in the Telegraph Handicap (1200m) and the Waikato Sprint (1400m) when defeating fellow Ryder hopeful Wall Street.
“He’s been around the mark (in Australia) and always runs well without a great deal of luck,” McKee said.
“When you are taking on Group Ones they are always hard, I’d like to finally crack one with him here and he’s a six-year-old now.
“I think this is one of his better chances.”
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