Former promising three-year-old Mulley’s Idol found his long lost form at Mowbray on Wednesday night to record a win that was well-anticipated by some punters.
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The John Blacker-trained gelding was given a perfect run by Daniel Ganderton in the Dick Bertram Handicap before charging clear in the straight to score by almost two lengths.
Although he paid $20.50 on the tote, the now five-year-old was well backed in the Ubet fixed-odds market, firming from $23 to $15.
During the 2017 summer carnival, Mulley’s Idol ran second in the Magic Millions 3YO Classic and a close fourth in the 3YO Classic.
However, in Blacker’s words, he then “went completely off the boil.”
“He couldn’t recapture his best three-year-old form so we gave him a good break,” the trainer said.
“Since he’s been back, we don’t gallop him as hard and keep him fresh.
“His first two runs after his spell were in stronger company and he appreciated this drop back in grade.
“He’s well bred, he has no issues and he’s happy so he should really be racing against better-class horses.”
PUNTERS decided to stick with John Blacker in the following race and again landed the money.
Mag Wheels, backed from $7 to $2.50, won the Benchmark 58 Handicap at her fourth run since changing stables.
Apprentice Chris Graham sat the five-year-old mare in second place but had the job of carting the field up to tearaway leader Global Princess.
Mag Wheels dashed to a clear lead at the 400m but started to tire in the closing stages and had only a neck to spare on the line.
“All her runs for us have been good and the step up to 1600m tonight suited her,” Blacker said.
“She’s won over 2200m in Victoria so we’ll look for a 2100m race for her over the carnival.”
PROMISING stayer Earl Da VInci ran sixth in the Hobart Cup last season but won’t be running in the race next year.
The seven-year-old bled during the Benchmark 76 Handicap and is automatically banned from racing for three months.
Jockey Troy Baker started easing the $2 favourite out of the race before the home turn.
Only four horses were left to fight out the finish and it was Bidirectional (Anthony Darmanin) who did best to score by a short head from Datuk Zadragon.
The heavily-backed Mr America ($5 to $3.60) weakened to third after working outside the leader when, arguably, he would have been better off rolling to the front.
Earl Da Vinci’s trainer Scott Brunton had better luck in other races.
He won with handy sprinter Savs Finale and his partner Tegan Keys won with five-year-old mare La Dernier Fille who was having only her third start.
