3 minute read
Mojo Rhythm has been heavily supported on the eve of Saturday’s Listed Tabtouch Bunbury Stakes (1400m) and trainer Mitchell Pateman is confident the son of boom sire Playing God can secure his second feature success in four months.
Supporters have rallied behind Mojo Rhythm and quickly snapped up double figure offerings on Wednesday with the five-year-old backed from $11 into $6.50 that has him currently sharing equal billing with Red Fifty Three as market leader.
A Group 3 winner of the Peters Stakes (1500m) in December, Mojo Rhythm comes into the Bunbury Stakes in top order after flashing home from the tail of the field to finish one length fourth to River Rubicon in last fortnight's Pinjarra Classic (1300m).
"It was huge and you had to see it to believe it," Mitchell Pateman told The Races WA.
"He's going super and has improved if anything.
"He's a very good horse and has got better again.
"Every time we give him a spell he comes back better.
"It looks a good race for him, he doesn't go up in weight.
"I'd be thinking he will go awfully close on Saturday."
Mojo Rhythm, second-up this campaign, carries 55kg for Jarrad Noske and has drawn barrier 11.
"That's sort of ideal for him," Pateman said.
"He needs to get back and get to the outside, he just needs an uninterrupted run.
"I thought he should have won the other day (Pinjarra Classic).
"He sort of got decked at the top of the straight.
"I think if he gets any luck Saturday he should win."
Pateman is anxious to claim his maiden Bunbury Stakes after going close as a jockey.
He placed twice with Dream Lifter (2016-2017), a horse trained by his uncle, Paul Hunter.
Noske won the 2016 Bunbury Stakes aboard Young Lionel.
Meanwhile, at Albany on Sunday, Pateman will saddle up Songaa in the inaugural running of the $357,060 Bluff Noll (1099m) slot race
The five-year-old looks outclassed to win WA's richest country race, but Pateman says he knows the horse will try his heart out.
"One thing with that horse is that he will give you 110 per cent and tries harder than himself, Pateman said.
"He's the best I've ever had him, whether that's good enough to beat some of those other good horses I'm not sure.
"He won't disgrace himself, he'll run to the competition. He's a good horse but not sure he's up to the top liners."
Songaa ran fifth at his previous start in the Summer Scorcher on New Year's Day.
Holly Watson has been booked to ride.
