Mo’unga an outstanding prospect

Chris Waller has a high opinion of Mo’unga and it’s easy to see why after he kept his unbeaten record intact in dazzling style at Rosehill this afternoon.

The Waikato Stud graduate handled a steep rise in class with aplomb when the Savabeel colt overcame an interrupted run to bolt away with the Listed Dulcify Quality.

The colt settled second last from a tricky gate and improved to be in the hunt on straightening, but stuck in behind runners.

Mo’unga shouldered his way into the clear 200 metres from home under rider James McDonald and then powered clear to keep his unbeaten record intact.

“He beat some decent horses and came through them like a real professional. It was like Lonhro bursting through with the white socks,” Waller said.

“He’s an up and coming horse and he’s still six months away – he’ll be something really special in six months.

“I’m really looking forward to the autumn with him, but the plan is to the G1 Spring Champion Stakes, he’s got a great future.”

Bred by Waikato Stud, Mo’unga was purchased out of their draft at Karaka in 2019 by Aquis for $325,000 and is out of the winning O’Reilly mare Chandelier, who also finished runner-up in the G3 Lowland Stakes.

She is a sister to the G2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes winner Irlanda and the family of the G1 Auckland Cup winner Chenille and the G2 Rich Hill Mile winner Chintz, whose son Not An Option was successful in last season’s G2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes.