MoUnga and Annabel Neasham Celebrate First G1 Success

Tara Madgwick - Saturday March 27

Rookie trainer Annabel Neasham was entrusted with talented Savabeel colt Mo’Unga late last year after first taking out her trainer’s licence and at Rosehill on Saturday he gave her that all important first Group I success when taking out the Group I ATC Rosehill Guineas (2000m).

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Mo'Unga wins the G1 Rosehill Guineas - image Steve Hart

Racing in the familiar Aquis colours, Mo’Unga started his career with Chris Waller, winning three of his first four starts, and has continued his progression under Neasham’s guidance.

Third when resuming from a spell and then a luckless second in the Group I ATC Randwick Guineas, Mo’Unga put it altogether for Tommy Berry at Rosehill.

He travelled smoothly back in the field and when angled into clear running powered to the line to beat a determined Sky Lab by a long head with Group I winning filly Montefilia a good third.
 


“I can’t thank the Fung family enough for giving me an opportunity with horses like this,” said Annabel Neasham, who is yet to make a decision on Doncaster or Derby for Mo’Unga going forward..

“He came to us beautifully produced, it was just up to us to get the job done and all the team at home have done a marvellous job.”
 



A cracking type that made $325,000 as a yearling at Karaka when bought by Aquis, this Waikato Stud bred colt is by their champion sire Savabeel from Group III placed O’Reilly mare Chandelier, a full sister to Group II winner Irlanda.

Mo'Unga and Tommy Berry return to scale - image Steve Hart.

With four wins and two placings from seven starts and prizemoney of $700,000 and change, he is the sixth Group I winner bred on the Savabeel x O’Reilly cross that has produced 20 stakes-winners.

The stats are impressive for this direct cross with 73% winners to runners and 14%stakes-winners to runners!

Mo’Unga is the 23rd Group I winner for champion sire Savabeel.

 

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Race Result - Sky Racing Rosehill Guineas Gr1 2000m

Rosehill Track: Soft(7) Time: 2:04.84
1
Mo'unga
- 3c Savabeel (AUS) x Chandelier (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Tommy Berry 56.5
2
0.2
Sky Lab
- 3g Real Impact (JPN) x Gold Mission (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: P M Perry Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56.5
3
1.0
Montefilia
- 3f Kermadec (NZ) x Bana Wu (GB) (Shirocco (GER))
Tnr: David Payne Rdr: J R Collett 54.5
4
1.8
Lion's Roar
- 3g Contributer (IRE) x Minnaleo (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe (USA))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: B Avdulla 56.5
5
1.9
Wheelhouse
- 3c Pierro (AUS) x Sailing By (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Bowman 56.5
6
4.4
Khoekhoe
- 3c Turffontein (AUS) x Walvis Bay (NZ) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: K Mc Evoy 56.5
7
6.2
The Elanora
- 3c Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Yesterjoy (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: N Rawiller 56.5
8
9.6
Milford
- 3c Savabeel (AUS) x Etiquette (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: Tim Clark 56.5
9
10.8
Grandslam
- 3c Myboycharlie (IRE) x Mine Game (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: M Zahra 56.5
10
12.0
Bucharest
- 3c Deep Impact (JPN) x Miss Finland (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Craig Williams 56.5
11
12.8
Lunar Fox
- 3c Foxwedge (AUS) x Grant's Moon (USA) (Malibu Moon (USA))
Tnr: P A Preusker Rdr: N Callow 56.5
12
13.4
Here To Shock
- 3c Shocking (AUS) x Frescoes (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Brent Stanley Rdr: T Marquand 56.5
13
16.3
The Cullinan
- 3g Benfica (AUS) x Wild Silk (AUS) (Ukok Warrior (AUS))
Tnr: B J Dais Rdr: R Dolan 56.5
14
30.5
Kobestar
- 3g Star Witness (AUS) x Fuwa (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: A J Cummings Rdr: Rachel King 56.5
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