Mohaka fronts up for bold Bradley
Some surprise tactics from rider Darryl Bradley paved the way for promising mare Mohaka to claim her biggest career victory, when she led throughout to win the $50,000 Feilding Gold Cup (2100m) at Awapuni yesterday.
The Guy Lowry and Grant Cullen-trained five-year-old was backing up just six days after finishing fifth over 1400m at Trentham, and was having just her second career run past 1600m.
Bradley took the bull by the horns after the daughter of Nadeem made a quick beginning and sent her straight to the front.
Mohaka relaxed beautifully as she set up a steady tempo before kicking clear approaching the home bend. Chased gamely all the way by gallant runner-up Lubaya, Mohaka found enough in reserve to hold out the challenge to win by a neck, with Obsessive well back in third.
Cullen admitted he had been taken by surprise when he saw his charge in front.
‘‘That caught us by surprise to
fair,’’ he told the NZ Racing Desk. ‘‘Darryl has taken the bull by the horns and gone forward and he has judged it nicely.
‘‘There is also plenty of credit to Guy who has been working with her and has a done a huge job getting her to step up to 2100m just six days after competing over 1400m.
Cullen had always felt Mohaka has what it takes to be a stayer. ‘‘She’s a real, dour staying type of mare so we’ve always wanted to get her over ground,’’ he said.
‘‘The opportunity arose today with no weight on her back. She managed to get a good breather between the 600m and 800m and has kicked really strongly to the line.
‘‘She doesn’t like to get headed and sticks her head down like a bulldog.’’