Mbube is poised to gain an advantage from his practice sessions on the Flemington straight as he heads towards the Danehill Stakes.
Trainer Lloyd Kennewell took advantage of the Flemington straight being accessible to horses from outside the immediate stable when competing in Saturday’s Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m).
The Danehill Stakes serves as an important lead-in race to the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 31, a race that is widely considered a ‘stallion making race’.
Having won on debut at Sandown in June, Kennewell had the Coolmore Stud Stakes firmly in his plans for Mbube.
Mbube returned from a spell following his Sandown win to finish second behind Paradoxium in the Poseidon Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on September 12.
After this run, Kennewell brought Mbube back to Flemington for an 800-metre trial last Thursday.
Mbube finished last in the trial, but the finishing position was not Kennewell’s primary concern; instead, he wanted to give the colt more exposure to the track.
“He just poked around, just for fitness and to give him another look,” Kennewell remarked.
“It was good for the mind, body and soul.”
“He did enough. He ran last but on his sectional data he was still running crazy sectionals.”
“I’m glad he wasn’t upfront. They were going very quick in that trial.”
Although Mbube was beaten first-up at Flemington three weeks ago, Kennewell was satisfied with his performance.
More significantly, he has observed a positive change in the colt’s fitness.
“He needed it and probably just peaked late, and he bumped into a hard fit Sydney horse, that is obviously a good horse,” Kennewell commented.
“He has come on fitness wise very nicely and taking him out there last week was good and on Tuesday he had a nice little gallop, in hand, and he’s ready to go.”
Billy Egan, who partnered Mbube to victory on his debut, will be back in the saddle on Saturday, with Mark Zahra having ridden the colt in the Poseidon Stakes.
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