The Metropolitan on the Radar for Mugatoo

Mark Smith - Saturday August 29

Coming off a win in the Listed Winter Challenge at Rosehill back on July 25, the Kris Lees-trained gelding Mugatoo (IRE) gave punters something to cheer about when he parlayed that into another stakes success in Saturday’s Group III  Premiers Cup (1900m) at Rosehill.

Sent off an odds-on favourite under Kerrin McEvoy, the 6yo son of  Henrythenavigator defeated the Coffs Harbour Cup winner Sikandarabad (IRE) (Dr Fong) by one and a quarter lengths with Herengawe (Zed) a short-head back in third.

Mugatoo adds the Premiers Cup to his CV (Steve Hart)

Winner of the Listed Canberra Cup back in March, the Australian bloodstock colour-bearer advances his record to 7 wins, 1 second and 1 third from 13 starts with earnings of $448,692.

Lees said the Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap over 2400m at Randwick on October 3.

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"He could end up in a Newcastle Cup in three weeks time, which would then lead into the Metrop where he would still get in alright at the handicaps," Lees told AAP.

"He is taking the right steps. It was another test for him today and he reacted well.

"I'm sure he will come on again from the run. He has a bright future."

The son of the former Coolmore shuttler Henrythenavigator (USA ) won his first three starts in Australia having won two of his six starts in England when trained by for David Simcock.

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).

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Race Result - Iron Jack Premiers Cup Gr3 1900m

Rosehill Track: Good(4) Time: 1:56.02
1
Mugatoo
- 6g Henrythenavigator (USA) x Elopa (GER) (Tiger Hill (IRE))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: K Mc Evoy 57
2
1.3
Sikandarabad
- 8g Dr Fong (USA) x Sindiyma (IRE) (Kalanisi (IRE))
Tnr: Sam Kavanagh Rdr: B Avdulla 56
3
1.4
Herengawe
- 6g Zed (NZ) x Vim (NZ) (Germano (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Ms L Day 53
4
1.5
Taikomochi
- 7g Snitzel (AUS) x Geisha (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: A Hyeronimus 58
5
1.8
Girl Tuesday
- 6m Street Cry (IRE) x Tuesday Joy (NZ) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: C E Conners Rdr: G Boss 54
6
3.8
Savacool
- 6m Savabeel (AUS) x Chilled Out (NZ) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Ms K O'Hara 53
7
3.9
Azuro
- 7g Myboycharlie (IRE) x Anthropologie (IRE) (Okawango (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: R Dolan 55
8
4.0
Carzoff
- 8g Zoffany (IRE) x Cartama (GB) (Mark Of Esteem (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: G Schofield 55.5
9
4.4
Rondinella
- 6m Ocean Park (NZ) x Valpolicella (NZ) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: S Clipperton 55.5
10
4.9
Mustajeer
- 8g Medicean (GB) x Qelaan (USA) (Dynaformer (USA))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: J B Mc Donald 61
11
5.1
Grey Lion
- 9g Galileo (IRE) x Grey Lilas (IRE) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: Regan Bayliss 54.5
12
5.3
Norway
- 5g Galileo (IRE) x Love Me True (USA) (Kingmambo (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tim Clark 54.5
13
5.4
Sir Charles Road
- 7g Myboycharlie (IRE) x Giant Mystique (AUS) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: L O'Sullivan & A Scott Rdr: Rachel King 55
14
11.2
Frankely Awesome
- 5m Frankel (GB) x Street Secret (USA) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: J R Collett 53.5
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