Golden Slipper placegetter Mamaragan is capable of getting back to somewhere near his best in the Starlight Stakes at Rosehill, says trainer John Thompson.
“One of the most frustrating horses I’ve trained” is how John Thompson describes Mamaragan but the gelding is no doubt capable of figuring in Saturday’s Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill.
Two seasons ago Mamaragan burst on to the scene, winning the Group 2 Skyline Stakes on debut before finishing third at his second race start in the Golden Slipper.
But since then, the Mamaragan story has been one of failing to live up to expectations and frustration but Thompson hasn’t yet given up hope the son of Wandjina can turn his career around.
“He’s still a work in a progress,” Thompson said.
“He got a few issues and he holds his breath in races which makes things difficult.
“We’ve been teaching him to settle and slowly but surely, I think we are winning the battle.”
Thompson said the four-year-old’s latest two performances are the catalyst for the hope he still holds for Mamaragan’s future.
“His run at Warwick Farm was good and his run the other day, on Melbourne Cup day at Randwick, was excellent,” he said.
“I thought he was ready to get back to his best the other day but then he missed the kick.
“Ignoring that, his effort was worthy of better than finishing fifth.”
TAB fixed odds has Mamaragan priced at $16 for the Starlight Stakes with the likelihood of the race being run on a rain-affected surface.
Rosehill was rated a Soft 7 surface when acceptances were declared on Wednesday morning. The Sydney forecast is for between 30 and 60mm of rain leading up to and including on Saturday.
“The rain won’t be a problem, he handles the wet,” Thompson said.
“For us it’s more about getting him to race properly.
“He’s learning to settle.
“He’s the type of horse that a jockey isn’t going to get it right aboard him the first go which is another positive going into Saturday.
“Jason (Collett) rode him at Randwick and he missed the start but he also trialled him since then (November 23) and he said I’m glad I got another ride on him because he’s a horse you learn from every time you get aboard.
“If the horse does everything right and he handles the track on Saturday. If he has a bit of luck, I think he’s capable of being in the finish, for sure.”
Originally published as Golden Slipper placegetter Mamaragan ready to recapture his best form in Starlight Stakes
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