Second in the race twelve months ago, the Peter Jolly-trained Morvada returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in over a year in Saturday’s Group III Shaftesbury Avenue Stakes at Flemington, in a performance that connections hope will earn him a wildcard to the All-Star Mile.
Ridden by Damian Lane, the 7yo son of Mossman kept up a strong gallop to defeat Holbien (Pierro) by a length with Platoon (Playing God) three-quarters of a length back in third.
“Twelve months ago, he ran second in this race and we were going to run him in the Futurity but I desperately want to get him in the All-Star Mile so I thought if he can win today then he’s got a chance of getting in on a wildcard.
“The horse is doing the talking. I couldn’t get enough votes but I always had confidence in this horse and he’s delivered today right on song.
“He’s definitely suited when he gets on a firm track, too. He’s a terrific horse around The Valley. He’s only had one shot there in the AAMI Vase and led all the way, so I’d love to get him back there over a mile.”
Damian Lane said the horse would not disgrace himself in the All-Star Mile.
“He’s an ultra-consistent horse and you know he’ll run well if he goes there,” Lane said.
“It’d be lovely if he could get a wildcard and have the three Jollys in the race together. He can’t do any more than he’s doing, and he was turned out in great order today.
“Had a lovely lead. He likes to do his own thing in front. He got it uncontested and having had that run I just let him slip a little bit earlier than what I would have normally have done. He just had too good a finish.”
A dual Listed stakes-winner, Morvada advances his record to eight wins, ten seconds and seven thirds from 46 starts with earnings of $643,730.
A $140,000 purchase by McDonald Racing out of the Maluka thoroughbreds draft at the 2016 Premier Yearling Sale, Morvada is the best of four winners from eight to race out of the Carnegie (IRE) mare Carnegie Minstrel.
A half-sister to the stakes-winner Scarlet Vanhara, Carnegie Minstrel has a yearling colt by Press Statement and a filly foal by Showtime.
