Moppett returns in fine style
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Moppett puts in the challenge down the outside to pass Samui Star (Noel Pascoe photos)
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Moppett’s first up race from a break at Eagle Farm on Saturday, September 20 proved fruitful for connections with the mare taking out the Phoenix Recycling Services QTIS No Metropolitan Wins Handicap 1000m.
With apprentice Matthew Palmer in the saddle, they settled mid-field from the jump travelling around the outside. Still off the leaders, Moppett (M4 Iglesia-Geiger) put the speed on in the last couple of hundred metres to make up ground and pipped Samui Star (Bobby El-Issa) at the post.
It was a tight finish with only a nose separating the two. Race favourite Danzamonkey (Shane Scriven) finished third by two lengths.
It was Moppett’s first run back since June 21 and brings her total to five wins, a second and three thirds from 13 starts.
Warwick trainer Terry Catip believes the break helped the mare out “without a doubt”.
“She improved, she’s grown, got heavier, got more depth about her now. Hopefully she’ll go on with it,” he said.
“The run was the first run back for a good while. Not a five furlong horse, she’d never won five furlong and she’s never won first up but she was going to be some hope in the race if there was some good speed on which there was. She had a good clean run and got to the line strong.”
For breeder and owners John and Diane Rounsefell, Moppett has amassed $91,700 including $28,000 in QTIS bonuses.
Catip said he was very happy with the mare’s consistent form. “She always puts in, always tries. Still learning about it really, still got a way to go as in picking up. But it’ll come to her with a bit more age on her she’ll get home a bit better.”
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Hollie Roberts – September 22
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