King Mufhasa appreciated the absence of the world’s highest-rated sprinter Black Caviar when he raced to a comfortable win in the $500,000 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield, securing his ninth Group One victory.
With the unbeaten Black Caviar, who has won 19 straight races including nine Group Ones, having a let-up before she resumes in May, the 1400m weight-for-age feature was set-up for on-pacer King Mufhasa with Nash Rawiller aboard for the first time.
Trainer Stephen McKee said Michael Rodd, who won the Group One Toorak Hcp (1600m) on the seven-year-old last spring, had first refusal.
However Rodd was required by Mark Kavanagh at Morphettville on Saturday and the ride went to Rawiller who notched back-to-back Futurity victories having won the race last year aboard More Joyous.
“Nash was able to dictate the race and we know how good Nash is in front,” McKee said.
“Without Black Caviar and a few other horses it made it a lot easier.”
Sent out $2.60 favourite, King Mufhasa led in a leisurely-run race and had 1-1/4 lengths to spare over Cox Plate heroine Pinker Pinker ($3.60) with the three-year-old Adamantium ($10) 1-3/4 lengths away third.
“I was actually quite excited to run against Black Caviar. I don’t think a Kiwi horse has but obviously with her out of the way it makes the race winnable,” McKee said.
“He has always run against Group One level for the best part of his career so it’s good to see him get another one.”
The Pentire gelding has now had 49 starts for 18 wins and 11 placings and $2.5 million in prizemoney.
McKee said King Mufhasa would be floated to Sydney on Sunday to catch a flight home to New Zealand on Monday but would return to Sydney for two autumn carnival starts.
“We’ll probably come back for a couple of races in Sydney – the George Ryder or the All-Aged Stakes or both, but we will just look at how he takes the heat today and the trip home,” the trainer said.
McKee said while regular rider Sam Spratt had won 11 races, including seven Group Ones on King Mufhasa, he favoured putting a top local jockey on in the Futurity.
“In big races in Australia it pays to put an Australian jockey on,” he said.
Rawiller was rapt in King Mufhasa’s effort.
“He is an old cracker, isn’t he? Full credit to him,” he said.
“He is probably not the best horse I’ve ever ridden but the stats suggest he is one of the hardest triers.
“To win his ninth Group One today in Australasia, and more importantly in Australia, is a magnificent effort for an old horse.
“He put them to the sword there just before the straight and I was actually very confident.
“I could hear Pinker Pinker coming but every time I asked for my bloke he gave a little bit more.
“He feels very good and obviously his record at weight-for-age is very good.”
