Racing: Classy pair must live up to hype

Mufhasa is unlucky to face More Joyous, with the classy mare making her one Melbourne start. Photo / Supplied

Getting to the top is one thing, staying there is something else.

Mufhasa and Ginga Dude have a lot to live up to at Caulfield this afternoon.

We saw almost unprecedented buying by Australians at New Zealand Bloodstock's Karaka sales series this year off the back of the best New Zealand-bred results across the Tasman in a decade.

But there is no memory shorter than a racing memory - you are as good as your last race, particularly on the Australian turf - and the momentum needs to be maintained.

The spring was stunning. The real start of the autumn carnivals today needs to be of the same high standard - there is no longer So You Think as flag-bearer.

In New Zealand Mufhasa has a much higher rating and following than Ginga Dude, but unlike Ginga Dude he has yet to win in Australia.

"We've never had any luck over here, with either barrier draws or with track conditions," said trainer Stephen McKee as he put the final touches on Mufhasa for today's A$500,000 Futurity Stakes.

There will not be an excuse this time. The Futurity is Mufhasa's favourite 1400m distance, Caulfield on a fine day can suit on-pace runners and McKee has his stable headliner back in exactly the same outstanding form he was in two years ago.

The big problem is Gai Waterhouse's powerhouse mare More Joyous. Worryingly, rider Nash Rawiller said the mare feels better than previously after her first-up doddle win in Sydney.

Unfortunately for Mufhasa, he meets More Joyous in her one Melbourne start. After this she heads back to Sydney for the Doncaster Handicap.

Mufhasa, of course, is the big black lion. He needs to find his big lion's heart today.

Similarly, Ginga Dude will not find it easy meeting horses like Melbourne Cup winner Shocking and the $3.20 favourite Heart of Dreams at weight-for-age in the A$200,000 St George.

In his favour is his Mackinnon Stakes third to So You Think in the spring. Also, he has drawn No3, can lead and Michael Walker is at his best on front runners.

Sepoy has more than the best juvenile talent to beat in today's A$1 million Blue Diamond Stakes.

The record book stacks up as just as big a challenge.

The unbeaten colt was last night quoted at $1.65.

Sheikh Mohammed and his trainer Peter Snowden have an enormous record in the last two seasons and Sepoy has so far looked invincible.

One who is not shrinking from the challenge is fellow trainer Lee Freedman, a three-times winner of Victoria's richest 2-year-old race, who convinced the owners of his colt Atomic to come up with the A$55,000 Blue Diamond late entry fee this week.

Craig Newitt, currently second on the Melbourne jockeys' premiership, is lucky to be fit to ride Atomic.

He was pulling up a beaten favourite Tricky Choice after the winning post at Kyneton midweek when the horse suffered a heart attack and fired Newitt into the running rail as he collapsed. Newitt has declared himself fit to ride today.

At the other end of the scale is 48-year-old Jim Cassidy, who will push $200 to $1 chance Helping Hand.

Cassidy committed himself to Caulfield instead of Sydney to ride his Melbourne Cup runner-up Maluckyday in his resuming run in the Futurity, but the classy stayer did not accept. Cassidy is no stranger to Blue Diamond success.

Melbourne carnival

* New Zealand stars Mufhasa and Ginga Dude will be trying to add to our remarkable Australian success in the spring.

* Mufhasa has never had luck in Australian campaigns, but the signs are good for today.

* Other than facing Sydney mare More Joyous that is.