Mitch Beer has seen more than enough evidence that his stable star Mnementh is a superior heavy-tracker and will seek the wettest track he can find this Saturday, with a final decision to be made on Wednesday.
A last start winner of the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on a heavy 9 surface, Mnementh is nominated at Sunshine Coast, Randwick and Flemington on Saturday, although Beer admits a chance at back-to-back Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final wins in Melbourne is unlikely.
“Just going to chase the rain, I’d say he’s probably a better chance of sticking here (Randwick) or going North than going to Melbourne, although it’s tempting, he won that race last year, it’s just up to the weather now,” Beer said.
“He’s three for three on heavy, all of them in town and one of them in a stakes race, he’s just a superior heavy tracker, to be an eight-year-old and unbeaten on heavy tracks, it’s not a lot of guess work.”
With up to 48mm of rain predicted in Sydney and up to 64mm in Sunshine Coast this week, Beer will likely run Mnementh at 1400m for the first time in over two years, with the Listed Winter Stakes at Randwick and the Listed Glasshouse Handicap at Sunshine Coast the two options.
“Depending on barrier draws, I think Queensland we’d definitely be riding him quieter, 1400 up there they’ll run it pretty quick but Randwick, he’s such a versatile horse, having the ability to be on speed is a big asset for him and he just keeps grinding away.”
“He led all the way and won a lesser grade race over 1400 (metres) but I’d say that the heavy is more important. Anywhere between 1100 and 1400 metres he’s sort of okay with, I think he’s four or five lengths better on a heavy,” Beer said.
Three different jockeys are on standby to ride Mnementh, who has had a different jockey aboard in his past six wins, with Beer confirming Nikita Beriman would ride at Sunshine Coast, Tyler Schiller at Randwick and Teo Nugent at Flemington.
Beer said a final decision will be made on Wednesday if the horse is required to float interstate. Mnementh is a $11 chance (all-in) for both the Glasshouse Handicap at Sunshine Coast and the Winter Stakes at Randwick.
