South Auckland jockey Sam Spratt is keeping her fingers crossed King Mufhasa strikes a decent track for the A$1 million Stradbroke Handicap at Brisbane's Eagle Farm on June 12.
Spratt was confident of victory at the top of the straight in the group one Doomben 10,000 (1350m) on Saturday, after
clearing out by three lengths on the turn, but King Mufhasa started to struggle in the soft going and faded to finish ninth, with victory going to the high-class Sydney mare Hot Danish, who recorded her second success at the top level.
"I thought on the turn he was home and even with 150m to go he was fighting back and I thought he might hold on, but over the last 100m he just fell out big time," said Spratt yesterday.
"It seems that every time I have been to Australia with him he has struck a bad track and he really needs a good track to show his best. He doesn't go up and down on a bad track but he is not at his best in it.
"Hopefully, we will get a good surface for the Stradbroke."
King Mufhasa, trained by Stephen McKee, has 54.5kg for the Stradbroke and is near the top of the order of entry.
McKee's other runner at Doomben, the 2-year-old Starcheeka, finished 10th in the Doomben Slipper (1350m).
The Hombre continued his run of fine form at the Queensland carnival with a gallant second placing in the group three Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) behind Kutchinsky.
The Hombre's trainer, John Bary, was happy with the effort.
Sir Time Keeper put in a much stronger effort than his wayward run in the Doomben Cup and held on well for fourth, with New Plymouth galloper Keyora a close-up sixth, after having to wait for a run.
Sir Time Keeper's stablemate, Sir Slick, finished last in the group three Premier's Cup, won by former New Zealander Tabulate.
Jockey David Walsh told stewards Sir Slick did not feel comfortable in his action in the straight and they ordered a vet clearance before he next starts.
Indikator produced a fine run for fifth in the Premier's Cup, with Tinseltown sixth.
Court Ruler, who received a rocky run, finished 10th, with Castle Heights 11th, Sand Hawk 14th and Solid Billing 15th.
The sole New Zealand success on the Doomben card came from the promising Firebolt, from the Roger James and Paul Mirabelli stable at Matamata.
- NZPA
Racing: NZ sprinter needs good track for Stradbroke
South Auckland jockey Sam Spratt is keeping her fingers crossed King Mufhasa strikes a decent track for the A$1 million Stradbroke Handicap at Brisbane's Eagle Farm on June 12.
Spratt was confident of victory at the top of the straight in the group one Doomben 10,000 (1350m) on Saturday, after
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