MITHEN’S CLOSE CALL ON CLASSIC

GNARWARRE breeder Anthony Mithen admits he finds it hard to split his two runners, Krone and Thousand Wishes, in the $200,000 Group 2 Aquis Farm Fillies Classic at Moonee Valley today.

Mithen’s Rosemont Stud owns significant shares in both gallopers, who head into the 1600m race on Cox Plate Day at different ends of their preparation.

That’s why Mithen says it is difficult to judge which of the two is his best chance.

“The split out of them is Krone has been up a while, had a grand final already (by) running in the Thousand Guineas,” Mithen said.

“(She) ran without luck, the winner laid in on her all the way down the straight. She couldn’t really get a decent crack at them when the whips were cracking.

“Whether or not that has taken it out of her (I’m not sure), but you wouldn’t put it past (trainer) Darren (Weir) to keep the horse up for another run and get the job done. She has got a lot of talent.

“Thousand Wishes is the fresh horse on the scene running against horses that have already had their grand final. She is building up for this and where we go to from here will depend on whether she gets a strong mile.

“It’s hard to split them ... I reckon they will both run super.”

Krone, to be ridden by Mark Zahra from barrier three, is rated a $6 chance in the race, while the Danny O’Brientrained Thousand Wishes ($15) is also in the market.

Rosemont Stud has four horses representing the team at Moonee Valley today, with Thunderdome ($26) running in the Group 2 Drummond Golf Vase (2040m).

“Thunderdome is on trial at the trip to see if we have got a stayer or a miler. We will find out whether we push on to the Derby or probably go to the paddock and look at some nice mile races in the autumn,” Mithen said of the Leon and Troy Corstens-trained galloper.

Corstens-trained Dark Villain has accepted for the $150,000 1300 Australia Stakes and is a $71 chance.

Luke Currie has the ride from barrier nine. “He is an up and comer that won his maiden last start. He has probably got to step up to the plate and improve a few lengths to make his presence felt in that race.

“I can see him running a bold race.”