Chasing further Group One Glory; Mustang Mach will be heading to Auckland next month for the 4yo features.
Star Victorian 4yo Mustang Mach is heading back to New Zealand.
The last start Gr.1 McInerney Ford 4yo Classic winner at Gloucester Park in Perth last December will head across the ditch to chase the Taylor Mile and Messenger in Auckland next month therefore bypassing the Chariots Of Fire in Sydney.
Trainer Dean Braun has weighed up his options carefully and believes the Auckland features are a better fit rather than heading up the highway to clash heads with the likes of Sushi Sushi and Excel Stride.
“I've spoken with the owners and a lot was put on the table, heading to New Zealand carries the extra bonus of a possible return for a shot at the Jewels in June if he earns the required prizemoney after competing in the Taylor Mile and Messenger next month.” Braun said.
The New Zealand bred gelding returned to the racetrack on Monday at the TABCORP Park, Melton trial session and pleased connections with a stylish winning display.
“He trialled well the other night and it was a trial that panned out perfectly for him considering where he's currently at, he finished off nicely and recorded good numbers.
“I'm thinking of giving him another trial before looking at a start point, time is not an issue right now with so I think another trial will only benefit him further.
“I believe we can find two races for him before heading to Auckland, he'll be spot-on once he arrives over there.”
Mustang Mach raced with distinction during his three start Perth campaign over the summer leaving Braun thinking about the Auckland features with his rising star.
“I've been thinking about these features for some time, I'm prepared to travel to Auckland rather than taking on the talent we have here because horses like Sushi Sushi and Excel Stride are freakishly good.
“That's no disrespect to the Kiwi's but they have had a long and tough year; Terror To Love and Gold Ace are no exceptions to this and we all know these races next moth will be run hard and fast.
“I'll be watching the Superstars at Addington this weekend and I'll continue to monitor the form of all the likely types in the coming weeks but I have no doubt my horse has improved and become a more stronger and mature horse after his latest break from the track.”
Braun outlined that champion driver Chris Alford will be given first option on Mustang Mach during his Auckland campaign.
The lightweight reinsman has won 7 races with Mustang Mach from his 10 drives to date.
The Gr.1 $NZ100,000 Woodlands Stud Taylor Mile is scheduled for April 27 with the Gr.1 $NZ100,000 Dawson Harford & Partners Messenger Championship slated for the following week.
Mustang Mach is raced by Karlos Farah, Aziz 'Ozzie' Kheir, Gary Braude and Moishe Gordon.
Meanwhile, star prospect Magical Telf will miss the up-coming Gr.1 $200,000 Christian Cullen NSW Derby and will now be set for the Brisbane Winter Carnival later this year.
“I ended up giving him a freshen-up after his latest win in Tasmania and he's only just returned to the stables this week so he obviously won't be ready for the NSW Derby but the Brisbane carnival is looking likely.
“There are quite a few nice races up there for him including the Gr.1 $100,000 Queensland Derby so we'll be aiming towards those targets in July.”
The Live Or Die gelding is unbeaten in two starts to date.
