Mo’unga making mighty strides

Waikato Stud graduate Mo’unga looks on his way to loftier targets after keeping his unbeaten record intact with success at Newcastle this afternoon.

The untapped three-year-old won at his only appearance at the Gold Coast last season and resumed in style for trainer Chris Waller and jockey Lee Magorrian over 1400 metres.

He is raced by Aquis Farm, who purchased the colt out of the premier Matamata’s farm at the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale for $325,000.

He is the first winner for the O’Reilly mare Chandelier, who was successful once and showed her quality by placing in the G3 Lowland Stakes.

The dam is out of a sister to the G3 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes and G3 Eulogy Stakes winner Irlanda, who also finished runner-up in the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes.

It is also the family of the G1 Auckland Cup winner Chenille and the Group 2 winners Chintz and Not An Option.