TRAINER Joe Pride has declared the rapidly ascending Mossman 3YO Neeson to be a future Group One star after he recorded his third consecutive win racing in today’s Listed STC Darby Munro Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill.

Neeson, the $2.80 favourite, was cruising along in second place before making a swift challenge in mid-stretch holding off the late charge from Darley duo Kanzan and Rarefied.

The gelding has now won five times in 11 starts with earnings of more than $300,000.

“In the spring he will be very good but in the winter next year he could be a Stradbroke horse.

“He will win Group races. He won a Listed race today so it’s not too much more of a stretch.”

Pride indicated that Neeson would be aimed at the Group Three AJC Southern Pacific Classic (1400m) at Randwick on April 17.

“It looks a really nice race in two weeks time.”

 

Neeson is Mossman’s seventh stakeswinner among 127 individual winners.