Unbeaten Mosse (NZ) Something Special

Unbeaten O’Reilly four-year-old Mosse (NZ) will now head to the Group 1 Railway Stakes on New Year’s Day after producing a freakish performance to win Saturday’s $70,000 Group 3 The Aussie Butcher Concorde Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie.

Mosse (O’Reilly x Golden Sparkle) - now unbeaten in five starts - capped off a brilliant weekend for the Karaka Select Sale which also saw Ambitious Dragon win the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile last night.

The son of O’Reilly started Saturday’s Group 3 feature as favourite and punters would have been forgiven for throwing away their tickets at the top of the straight as he looked in desperate trouble, dead last in a seemingly impossible position.

But in what left his trainer and co-owner John Bell speechless after the race, the four-year-old – under a great ride from jockey Jason Waddell – weaved his way through the entire field and ran down Demophon (Howbaddouwantit) and Durham Town (Falkirk) in the last 50 metres to win by just shy of half-a-length.

“It was just unbelievable,” commented John Bell. “He was in deep trouble on the turn and to see him produce a performance like that was amazing.

“He is a real talent this horse, he has that x-factor and it’s a real privilege to be training him. He has such a wonderful nature and is such an easy going horse, nothing seems to worry him and when you put a saddle on him he always gives his best.

“As a yearling he was a magnificent horse. He was a beautiful walking individual with a big stride and we had to really battle to purchase him in the ring.

“We are looking to take him to the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1200m) next up. That will be another step up for him but he has handled every task we have put in front of him so far.

“Depending on how he goes we may look to take him to the Group 1 Telegraph Handicap after the Railway. He has never had a big trip before so that would be a good experience for him, especially if we take him to Australia at some point.”

A half-brother to Mosse by Captain Rio will be offered at the 2013 Karaka Premier Sale by Westbury Stud at Lot 165.

The John Sargent trained Demophon ran a great race to finish second after finishing well down the outside of the field, and last year’s Concorde Handicap winner Durham Town raced on well for third, completing the trifecta for Karaka graduates.

Bred by the Marriott Trust, Mosse is the 59th stakes winner for his sire O’Reilly who has two exciting sons unbeaten at present, Mosse and the Group 1 2000 Guineas winner Sacred Falls.

Mosse was purchased from Westbury Stud at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2010 Karaka Select Sale for $200,000. Raced by Benedict Sin & John Bell, he has now won over $80,000 from his five career starts.