MOSSMAN galloper Neeson is likely to be aimed at better races this campaign after scoring a comfortable win at Canterbury in today’s STC Golden Slipper Festival Handicap (1250m). Neeson’s win follows recent success of Mossman gallopers locally and in Hong Kong.
The Joseph Pride trained 3YO was taking on older horses for the first time but was still able to power away to win by a length over Looking Fur Lang with Canary Islands a further 2 1/2 lengths in third.
Neeson’s record of 9 starts for 3 wins and four placings has his earnings on the cusp of $150,000 with the promise of more to come.
Neeson’s win follows the impressive victory of another Mossman 3yo at Gosford yesterday. The Ron Quinton trained filly, Ofcourseican won easily by over a length to break her maiden at her only her fifth start. Mossman’s ability to produce winners has never been in doubt despite small books early in his career and a a severe bout of colic limiting his first crop from Vinery to less than 20 foals.
Mossman’s phenominal strike rate looks set to take on an international dimension this evening when Australian bred At Moment In Time (formerly Dancing Spirit) will start favourite upon his return to the track in the Ewo Challenge Trophy over 1000m in Hong Kong.
At Moment In Time won his maiden at Wyong on debut in January 2009 and quickly transformed this form to Happy Valley when third a month later at his first Hong Kong start. A spell followed his third race start and tonight’s 1000m sprint marks his eagerly awaited return.
Trained by C.S Shum, At Moment In Time will attempt to emulate another Mossman galloper Plentiful (3yo Mossman ex Dapper’s Pride) which has won his last two starts at Shatin this season. Plentiful’s record of 2 wins from only 4 starts has returned $712,500 thus far and the future looks bright for this son of Mossman.
