A little over half a length covered six horses at the finish of Saturday's $500,000 Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, and it was Mo'Unga who claimed the first Group 1 of the season from the gallant defending champion Verry Elleegant.
Mo'Unga claims the first Group 1 of the season (image Steve Hart)
With Tommy Berry in the saddle, Mo'Unga tracked Verry Elleegant every step of the way and had the last shot at the champion.
The Annabel Neasham-trained son of Savabeel defeated Verry Elleegant (Zed) by a half-neck with She's Ideel (Dundeel) a half-head further back in third.
The 6yo Japanese import Keiai Nautique (JPN) (Deep Impact) flew home for fourth at his Australian debut.
The race was marred by the breakdown of Brandenburg, who unseated Rachel King when in a challenging position.
Annabel Neasham said she would consider keeping Mo'Unga fresh for the Golden Eagle.
"I think he looked the winner a long, long way out, but when he came up the outside of Verry Elleegant, I knew he was in for a tough battle because she's such a fighter too," Neasham said.
"He's in for a great prep. I don't know where we'll go now, but I think we'll have a fun spring."
The Group 1 Rosehill Guineas winner in the autumn, Mo'Unga, advances his record to five wins a second and a third from 10 starts with earnings of $1,052,290.
Aquis Farm purchased Mo'unga for $325,000 out of the Waikato Stud draft at the 2019 NZB Karaka Book 1.
He is the best of two winners from as many to race for the Group III placed O'Reilly mare Chandelier.
A sister to the Group II Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes winner and Group 1-placed Irlanda, Chandelier has a 2yo filly by Savabeel and a yearling colt by Savabeel. She was covered by Super Seth last spring.
