Mossfun firmed sharply with bookmakers for the G1 Golden Slipper after an awesome victory in its Silver equivalent at Rosehill on Saturday.
The unbeaten daughter of Vinery sire Mossman demoralised her rivals winning the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) by four lengths. “I’ve always loved this filly and she smashed them,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes beamed. “She just kept improving and is a real athlete. We may send her straight into the Golden Slipper without another run.”
The $3.50 million Golden Slipper is scheduled for Saturday, April 5. Mossfun is the $8 second favourite behind Blue Diamond winner Earthquake ($2.80).
Magic Millions Classic winner Unencumbered is on the third line at $11. The Testa Rossa colt was unsuited by a rain-affected track when a first-up fifth in the Silver Slipper.
“She’s got a super turn of foot and I didn’t even hit her,” winning jockey James McDonald said. “She keeps progressing and is going to be a real chance in the Golden Slipper.”
Mossfun (2f Mossman – Eye For Fun by Snitzel) had won the $250,000 Inglis Nursery (1000m) at Randwick in December and resumed from a let-up for a decisive victory in the LR Widden Stakes at Rosehill on February 15.
She was an $85,000 buy for Hussain Lootah at Session II of the 2013 Inglis Easter yearling sale. Her dam is an unraced half-sister to LR Ken Russell Memorial winner Cat D’Antibes (Tale of the Cat).
The Silver Slipper was Mossman’s second stakes win this week. He sired Admiral to a Listed victory in the Gold Sovereign Stakes (1200m) in Launceston on Wednesday.
Mossman is climbing up the Australian 2YO sires’ premiership with prizemoney over $669,000. He’s fourth on the ladder behind Testa Rossa, Exceed And Excel and Snitzel.
There are two Mossman yearlings catalogued for the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale starting on Sunday. His filly from Celtic Bloom (Lot 98) is a half-sister to Victorian -ased stakes performer First Bloom. The Mossman – Marmoso colt (Lot 375) is a half-brother to two winners from the family of champion filly Unworldly.