Straight experience to hold Mbube in good stead

Mbube will not be lacking for practice on the Flemington straight when he heads to track to run in the Danehill Stakes.

Trainer Lloyd Kennewell took advantage of the Flemington straight being opened up to outside horses running Saturday’s Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m).

The Danehill Stakes is an important lead up to the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 31, a contest that is considered a ‘stallion making race’.

A debut winner at Sandown in June, Kennewell has had the Coolmore Stud Stakes pencilled in for Mbube ever since.

Mbube resumed from a break following that Sandown success to run second behind Paradoxium in the Poseidon Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on September 12.

And following that outing, Kennewell took Mbube back to Flemington for a trial over 800m last Thursday.

Mbube finished last, but it wasn’t the finishing position that interested Kennewell, it was all about giving the colt added exposure to the track.

“He just poked around, just for fitness and to give him another look,” Kennewell said.

“It was good for the mind, body and soul.

“He did enough. He ran last but on his sectional data he was still running crazy sectionals.

“I’m glad he wasn’t upfront. They were going very quick in that trial.”

While beaten first-up at Flemington three weeks ago, Kennewell was happy with Mbube’s performance.

But more importantly he has seen the colt trim up fitness wise.

“He needed it and probably just peaked late, and he bumped into a hard fit Sydney horse, that is obviously a good horse,” Kennewell said.

“He has come on fitness wise very nicely and taking him out there last week was good and on Tuesday he had a nice little gallop, in hand, and he’s ready to go.”

Billy Egan, who partnered Mbube to success on debut returns to the saddle on Saturday after Mark Zahra partnered the colt in the Poseidon Stakes.