Mark Kavanagh’s prospects are looking up after recent setbacks to Shocking and Whobegotyou.  

Kavanagh’s Group 1 stars have been sidelined with injuries but the stable has struck back starting with promising gelding Mushatta at Moonee Valley on Friday.

Stablemates Amy’s Glen (Shamardal) and Cat’s Pyjamas (Fusaichi Pegasus) continued the fight-back when they scored at Morphettville and Caulfield on Saturday.

Kavanagh predicted a bright future for Mushatta after the lightly-raced gelding scored a first-up victory in the Schweppervescence Hcp (1200m) on Friday night.  ”He’s pretty good and is very racy for a Zabeel.  We might take him up north for the Queensland Guineas in May.”

Kavanagh won a Cox Plate with Zabeel gelding Maldivian and knows the breed well.  Mushatta is by the Cambridge Stud champion and was a $270,000 buy from Kia Ora Stud at the 2009 Inglis Easter yearling sale.

Mushatta (3g Zabeel – Sandy City by Green Desert) is a younger half-brother to Morphettville winner Red Sand (Red Ransom) and Hobart winner Mahinda (More Than Ready).

Their dam Sandy City is an Irish bred full-sister to G1 Hong Kong Derby winner Oriental Express.  She is also a half-sister to G1 Californian winner Fastness (Rousillon.  Sandy City’s 2yo is a Lonhro filly with Bernie Howlett and she foaled another Zabeel colt in October.