Happy Moment.Craig Newitt applauds as he returns on Mourinho after winning the Alternate Railway JRA Cup (Gallo Images)
The sensational Oratorio has struck again. Avontuur Stud’s former Coolmore Australia based son of Danehill has had the most extraordinary run of international stakes winners, and continued the party, this time down in Australia.
Last weekend the 3yo Oratorio colt Biz The Nurse won the Gr2 Premio Federico Tesio in Italy.
Oratorio’s 6yo gelded son Mourinho could add the Cranbourne Cup to his CV, after winning Friday evening’s Gr3 JRA Cup at Moonee Valley.
Trainer Peter Gelagotis said his confidence endured a roller-coaster ride during the week.
Gelagotis said he was confident that Mourinho would be prominent in the JRA Cup after he worked well with stablemate Hvasstan at Moonee Valley earlier in the week.
But, Gelagotis said his heart had sunk when Mourinho drew the outside gate in the field of 13.
In a race that went to plan, Mourinho rallied strongly to defy former French stayer Gris Carom, which loomed as a serious threat inside the 200 metres.
Under strong riding from Craig Newitt, Mourinho, scored by a neck from Gris Caro, which followed up from his Balacalava Cup win with a strong run.
The Great Snowman, was four and a quarter lengths away in third, just ahead of West Australian Mr Moet, while the favourite Lightinthenite, was eighth, seven lengths behind Mourinho.
Gelagotis’ brother Manny was effusive in his praise for Mourinho, who is now unbeaten in three starts at Moonee Valley over the 2040 metre trip.
“He’s a Moonee Valley specialist and I thought he put the writing on the wall with his last start. I thought he should have won,” Manny Gelagotis said.
“I said to Craig (Newitt) ‘just be positive, he loves the place and he’s ready’. He’s a top horse, he’s a Group 3 winner, his CV is excellent.”
Result: Alternate Railway Jra Cup (Gr 3) $200000, Moonee Valley (VIC) , 2040m, Dead(4). 1. MOURINHO (AUS) 6 b g, 54 kg Oratorio (IRE) – Benevolent (NZ), by Generous (IRE) 2nd dam: Regal Spy, by Sir Ivor 3rd dam: Belles Oreilles, by Nentengo O: T Ferraro, C Neal, P Cauchi, L Tartaglione, Ms D Binini, R Bausch, U Bausch, M Nardella, S Forte, P B Pavey, S Porch, M J Quigley, J Dimech, D Tartaglione & Miss R Tartaglione B: Mrs F Ovenstone T: Peter Gelagotis J: C Newitt $36,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale 2009 V: Little Wych P: L Tartaglione
