Trainer Matt Cumani is still working out imported stayer Monbahar, but one thing the Ballarat-based trainer does know is the gelding loves the wet.
That will be a bonus for Monbaher when he runs in the Ladbrokes Mates Mode Handicap (2400m) at Sandown on Saturday.
The track on Friday was rated in the heavy range and Cumani said the wetter the better for Monbaher, while the 2400m will not pose a problem.
“He’s got a high knee action and he ploughs through any sort of surface you put him on,” Cumani said.
“His sire is known for producing soft ground horses, so we were confident he would like it.”
Monbaher has had two starts since arriving in Australia, winning first-up over 2000m on heavy ground at Ballarat before a last start second, on a good track, over 2100m at Sandown on May 22.
Cumani said he saw a vulnerability at Sandown where Monbaher got further back than anticipated.
“It’s always a bit tricky on the Lakeside course when they get away from you, as it’s hard to peg them back,” Cumani said.
“If it had of been 2400 metres, he would have had enough time to get back at them. He was chasing and should have been the winner if he had got out earlier.”
Where Monbaher gets to, ratings wise, Cumani is unsure.
Cumani is hopeful Monbaher being a young horse, he’ll to turn five by Australian standards on August 1 and with only nine starts under the belt, will keep on improving.
“We’re still working him out,” Cumani said.
“We don’t know if he’s a horse that handles racing every two weeks or needs more spacing, and maybe he’s good early in the prep then flattens off.
“All these things we have to learn, but we’ve got time for that.
“He’s come over at the right grade for us to race him and work all that out, so that by the time we want to aim him at some big races, we’ll know him inside out.”
