Mossman's Morvada Too Strong in John Dillon Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday January 25

It’s been nearly three years since Morvada’s previous stakes win but the 6yo son of Mossman gave nothing else a chance in Saturday’s Listed John Dillon Stakes at Caulfield.

Zac Spain positioned the Peter Jolly-trained gelding on the outside of race favourite Yulong January before tacking control shortly after straightening to defeat Yulong January (King Of Prussia) by one and a half lengths with Streets Of Avalon (Magnus) a length back in third.

Morvada won the Listed Oaklands Plate at Morphettville in May 2016 and was runner-up in the Group II Moonee Valley Vase.

"I just couldn't work out why he wasn't fancied more," Jolly told AAP.

"He led all the way last start and Yulong January beat him by a long head.Morvada earned his second stakes win in the Dillion Stakes - images Grant Courtney

"It didn't worry me but I've been very confident.

"I've worked out how to train him now too. He needs a bit of time between runs and we keep him fresh."

"I've had that much trouble with the horse.

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"He's always had that much ability, but he's had a lot of leg problems and I've had to nurse him through that.

"And this is the first preparation I've been able to give him where something hasn't gone wrong with him."

 A $200,000 purchase by his trainer at the 2015 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Morvada advances his record to 7 wins, 7 seconds and 5 thirds from 35 starts with earnings of $424,280.

He is the best of four winners from eight to race out of the Carnegie mare Carnegie Minstrel who is a half-sister to stakes-winner Scarlet Vanhara from the family of Group 1 ARC New Zealand Derby winner Zonda and Group II QTC PJ O'Shea Stakes winner Magnolia Hall.

 Carnegie Minstrel has a colt foal by Press Statement and was covered last spring by Showtime.

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Race Result - John Dillon Stakes LR 1400m

Caulfield Track: Good(3) Time: 1:22.49
1
Morvada
- 6g Mossman (AUS) x Carnegie Minstrel (NZ) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: P W Jolly Rdr: Zac Spain 54
Mossman
2
1.5
Yulong January
- 4g King Of Prussia (AUS) x Duty With Honour (AUS) (West Point (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Jye McNeil 57
3
2.5
Streets Of Avalon
- 5g Magnus (AUS) x Kamuniak (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe (USA))
Tnr: S P Nichols Rdr: Clayton Douglas 59.5
Magnus
4
3.2
Guizot
- 7g Tertullian (USA) x Guantana (GER) (Dynaformer (USA))
Tnr: Aaron Purcell Rdr: Ms L J Meech 56
5
3.6
Fox Hall
- 6g Foxwedge (AUS) x Val De Loire (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: Regan Bayliss 54
6
4.6
Sircconi
- 5g Nicconi (AUS) x On Credit (NZ) (Viking Ruler (AUS))
Tnr: Nick Ryan Rdr: L Currie 57
7
7.1
Ocean's Fourteen
- 5h Ocean Park (NZ) x Ruud Van Slaats (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy (USA))
Tnr: S Morrish Rdr: Craig Williams 54
8
7.9
Duca Valentinois
- 8g Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) x Love Valentine (IRE) (Fruits Of Love (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: B Rawiller 58.5
9
8.9
Snitzkraft
- 5h Snitzel (AUS) x Power O'Raylee (AUS) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: John Allen 57.5
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