From Last To First for Henrythenavigator's Mugatoo

Mark Smith - Saturday July 25

Trainer Kris Lees and Australian Bloodstock have plenty to look forward to in the spring after their imports Mugatoo (IRE) and Korcho (GB) scored impressive wins at Rosehill on Saturday.

A son of Swettenham Stud’s high-flying shuttler Toronado (IRE), Korcho made it consecutive wins on the track when Nash Rawiller guided him to a three-quarter of a length win over Rezealient (Sebring) over 2400 metres.

No stopping Mugatoo (Steve Hart)

No stopping Mugatoo (Steve Hart)

Mugatoo (IRE) came from last under Hugh Bowman to defeat the Fastnet Rock gelding Sambro by three-quarters of a length in the day’s feature the Listed Iron Jack Winter Challenge (1500m).

It was his first start since failing behind Verry Elleegant in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill on Mya 28.

The son of the former Coolmore shuttler Henrythenavigator (USA) has created a huge impression when winning his first three starts in Australia culminating with a dominant performance in the Listed Canberra Cup on March 9.

Lees indicated that next month’s Premier's Cup (1900m) at Rosehill will be his next start.

"He will be entered for everything. He's the type who could go to an Epsom or a Metropolitan," Lees said.

"He was a little bit fresh today, but I shouldn't judge him on that because he was first-up.

"I'm in no rush to get him to weight-for-age but this could be the season to try him at that level because he has the acceleration."

A winner at Lingfield and Doncaster in six starts for David Simcock, Mugatoo (IRE) advances his record to 6 wins, 1 second and 1 third from 12 starts with earnings of $364,692.

Henrythenavigator (Mark Smith)

Henrythenavigator (Mark Smith)

A half-brother to Listed stakes-winner Elik (Dalakhani), Mugatoo (IRE) is one of three winners from six to race out of the Champion Older Female in Germany in 2005 (Int.) Elopa a Group II winner and Group 1-placed daughter of another former shuttler Tiger Hill (IRE).

Elopa is a three-quarter-sister to multiple Group II winner Eye Of The Tiger and Listed winner Echoes Rock and a half-sister to Group 1 Singapore Cup winner Epalo (Lando) and stakes-winners Evening Breeze (Surumu) and Evening Storm (Acatenango).

Mugatoo (IRE) is one of 23 stakes-winners for the Group 1 Two Thousand Guineas winner Henrythenavigator (USA) (Kingmambo) who shuttled to Coolmore Stud for four seasons (2009-12).

Race Result - Iron Jack Winter Challenge LR 1500m

Rosehill Track: Soft(7) Time: 1:30.27
1
Mugatoo
- 5g Henrythenavigator (USA) x Elopa (GER) (Tiger Hill (IRE))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: J Bowman 57.5
2
0.8
Sambro
- 5g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Eau De Joie (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tommy Berry 55.5
3
2.1
Taikomochi
- 6g Snitzel (AUS) x Geisha (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: A Hyeronimus 59
4
2.2
Order Again
- 6g Iffraaj (GB) x Glass Half Full (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: S Clipperton 57
5
2.4
Dealmaker
- 4g Dundeel (NZ) x Sport Chic (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tim Clark 55.5
6
2.9
Special Missile
- 6g Smart Missile (AUS) x Quiet Meadow (USA) (El Prado (IRE))
Tnr: R & M Freedman Rdr: G Schofield 54
7
3.1
Girl Tuesday
- 5m Street Cry (IRE) x Tuesday Joy (NZ) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: C E Conners Rdr: N Rawiller 57
8
3.4
Grey Lion
- 8g Galileo (IRE) x Grey Lilas (IRE) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: Jean Van Overmeire 57.5
9
3.5
Invictus Prince
- 7g Dansili (GB) x Golden Stream (IRE) (Sadler's Wells (USA))
Tnr: Melanie O'Gorman Rdr: R Dolan 53
10
10.5
Noble Boy
- 5g Bon Hoffa (AUS) x Dignity Lady (AUS) (Manner Hill (AUS))
Tnr: Clare Cunningham Rdr: J R Collett 56
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