Exciting Newcastle three-year-old The Bopper will likely have a break before targetting the $1 million Inglis Sprint in February after winning on a day that could have been even better for trainer Kris Lees.
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The Bopper, named after late Newcastle detective John "Bopper" Mooney, led throughout to claim the $200,000 listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200 metres) at Randwick on Saturday.
Two hours later, Lees watched from Randwick as Mugatoo ($26) put in a luckless but brilliant effort when fourth in the $5 million Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley.
Under jockey John Allen, Mugatoo was caught three wide without cover after jumping from gate nine of 14. Despite the tough trip, the six-year-old gelding loomed up on the home turn, where he was the widest runner, to threaten the leaders. However, the extra distance covered told in the end and he finished 3.5 lengths away from winner Sir Dragonet.
Still, the effort, which landed connections $250,000, proved the Newcastle Cup winner and Metropolitan Handicap runner-up was a genuine top-level weight-for-age horse at the trip.
Lees was proud of the performance but lamented his poor luck in running.
"It could have been a lot better," Lees said.
"With a softer run in transit, I'm not saying he would have won, but he would have been in the finish.
"The horse on his inside [in the run] stayed one-off and [Allen] couldn't get it over, so he just got trapped in a three-deep line, and the worst part was there was nothing in front of him so he had no cover.
"If he's got any little issue the horse, he can just run a little fierce in the early stages of his races and it probably takes a bit out of him late.
"That type of run, and being flushed wide on the corner, he then got on his wrong leg because he had no horse on his outside."
He said Mugatoo could race on to the group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 7.
"He's had a couple of runs at the top level now so we'll see where he is in the next week or so, if he's up to a Mackinnon Stakes, or we give him a rest," he said.
"He was nice and bright this morning."
At Randwick, The Bopper gave Lees and his fellow owners, which include friends and family of Mooney, a dominant victory.
The Nicconi gelding ($4.40) was set to be raced behind the speed but he jumped well under Josh Parr and took an easy lead. He then kicked clear and beat Tommy Gold by 1.8 lengths.
"The plan was to ride just behind the speed, but he's got tremendous gate speed," Lees said on Saturday.
"Josh was able to control the race and he got some pretty soft sectionals in the early stages and he was able to show the turn of foot we know he's got, so it was really pleasing to see him back in the winners' stall."
The Bopper debuted with a track record win at Tamworth over 1000m then a four-length victory in the Inglis Challenge (1100m) at Scone in the autumn.
A potential sale to Hong Kong then fell through and he returned from a spell with a close loss at Canterbury three weeks ago to Black Magnum, which broke the 1100m track record.
Lees said the $1 million The Hunter (1300m) at Newcastle on November 14 was off the table and The Bopper would likely be aimed at a race of the same value against his own age.
"I'd say he will have a little freshen up and he'll be set for the Inglis three-year-old race in February, which will be an attractive option," he said.
Lees said Wandabaa, which was second in the group 3 Nivison (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday, could be set for The Hunter.