There will be no Golden Rose start for Mo’unga but the lightly-raced colt has stamped himself as a star of the future in the eyes of his trainer Chris Waller.
Stepping up to Saturday stakes grade after wins at the Gold Coast and Newcastle, Mo’ungo justified his $2.70 favouritism and maintained his unbeaten record when he pounced late in the Listed Dulcify Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.
A usually measured Waller was lavish in his praise of the three-year-old but said he won’t be pushing him too far too soon, ruling out a Golden Rose start.
“He’s not seasoned enough for that type of racing just yet in my opinion but gee, he is going to be something very special to look forward to,” Waller said.
“The plan was always the Spring Champion. I think he’s got a great future and we don’t need to bottom him out too quickly.
“They were decent horses he was racing against. He got back from his wide draw and settled, bided his time and came through them like a real professional.”
Mo’unga firmed from a $6 equal favourite into outright $2.80 top pick for next month’s Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).
He is likely to have a final lead-up run in the Gloaming Stakes (1800m) in two weeks.
Waller was also impressed with the return of Global Quest, who is set to tackle the Golden Rose en route to the Caulfield Guineas in Melbourne.
“He went terrific. Had Mo’unga not been there he wins the race,” Waller said.
Ridden by James McDonald, Mo’unga scored by 1-1/2 lengths over Global Quest with Jet Propulsion another short neck away.
