Annabel Neasham’s desire to challenge herself could prove just as telling as a crucial trackwork gallop in determining where Winx Stakes winner Mo’Unga heads for his next start.
Connections will decide whether the four-year-old stays in Sydney or goes to Melbourne for the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600) at Flemington on Saturday after he is given a workout in the reverse direction.
“We’re going to keep an open mind with him and probably decide early this week, but at this stage the Makybe Diva is very much a possibility,” Neasham said.
“I’ve got Jye Mcneil booked down there. If not, there is the George Main in Sydney a week later.”
But Mo’unga’s gallop won’t be the only factor taken into consideration.
Neasham is also tempted by the thought of a hit-and-run raid interstate.
“I quite like the challenge of travelling horses,” she said.
“He ran really well at Flemington in the C S Hayes first-up last prep and knowing the horse, if he’s ridden in his comfort zone over a mile, Flemington is just the perfect track for him.”
Neasham has started the new season in sensational form, snaring the first Group 1 of the Sydney season with Mo’unga and producing Cox Plate favourite Zaaki for an ominous return in the Tramway Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
While the Golden Eagle is the favoured target for Mo’unga, Neasham has not ruled out the possibility he could join Zaaki in the Cox Plate.
With that in mind, a start in the Makybe Diva Stakes would give the horse some more valuable experience in the Melbourne direction.
“I am leaning more towards the Golden Eagle but the Cox Plate would be a really suitable race for him as well and at least if he’s gone down there and he’s had a run left-handed, it keeps the options open for us in deciding where we head to after that,” she said.
Moúnga is a $21 chance for the 2021 Cox Plate and a $5 second pick for the Golden Eagle.
