MUGATOO will back up in the group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000 metres) at Randwick on Saturday just one week after contesting the Doncaster Mile (1600m) at the same track.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Last month's All Star Mile (1600m) winner, trained by Newcastle's Kris Lees, finished fourth in the $3million feature on the weekend and is now ranked equal third favourite with TAB fixed odds following acceptances on Tuesday.
IN NEWS TODAY:
The six-year-old gelding carries 59 kilograms in the weight-for-age race, worth $4million in prizemoney on day two of The Championships at Sydney's autumn carnival.
Lees said Mugatoo has recovered well and will be suited to the extra distance on offer in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
"He pulled up well and will take his place," Lees said.
"I thought the run was okay but we probably expected a little bit more. I still thought he was very competitive and was a live chance 300m out.
"He'll look now for that longer 2000m. It's a high-quality race."
Chris Waller's Verry Elleegant, coming off back-to-back group 1 success in the Ranvet and Chipping Norton stakes, remains the top listing at $2.60 from title holder Addeybb ($2.70).
Tancred Stakes winner Sir Dragonet sits alongside Mugatoo at $6.50.
Lees has taken out the Queen Elizabeth Stakes previously with Lucia Valentina in 2016. Mugatoo's jockey Hugh Bowman was on board retired champion Winx for three straight victories in the same race between 2017 and 2019. He also saluted with Reliable Man in 2013.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark: newcastleherald.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News