Winning Form-sponsored Serino Moodley made good on his first ride back after a fortnight suspension when he steered the Varsfontein flag-bearer Mascherina to victory in the R200 000 The Independent On Saturday Insider Listed East Coast Cup.
Serino Moodley has Mascherina in full flight with Hat’s Queen (Calvin Habib) chasing for second (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Trainer Peter Muscutt labelled Moodley’s ride ‘an 11/10 effort’ and there was much joy in the yard that the blue-blooded 4yo daughter of Gimmethegreenlight showed that she stays the 2000m, which broadens her opportunity horizons into the big season.
“We weren’t sure after her last start over 1700m. But she got a clod in her eye and that impacted on her performance. Big thanks to the Varsfontein team for giving us another throw at the stumps here. She won really well,” added Muscutt.
She’s A Bomber and Royal Invitation led the charge early on at a modest pace, before Moodley sent Mascherina for home down the inside of the track in the run for home.
Hollywoodbets Brand and Communications Manager Devin Heffer hands over the trophy to trainer Peter Muscutt (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
With the thirteen horse field fanned out across the track, Mascherina was in full cry down the rail and never looked in danger of losing, despite a late rattle from Tony Peter’s Hat’s Queen.
In a drive to the wire, Mascherina (6-1) stayed on well to hold Hat’s Queen (25-2) rather easily in a time of 125,80 secs for the 2000m.
Escapologist (40-1) stayed on to dead-heat with tote favourite Mocha Blend (33-10) for third.
A half-sister to the Ridgemont based 2021 SA Triple Crown winning sire Malmoos, the Varsfontein Stud-bred Mascherina was registering her second stakes score
Mascherina is out of the Fort Wood mare Justthewayyouare, who won four times from 1600m to 2600m.
Mascherina has now won 5 races with 5 places from her 14 starts for stakes of R528 350.
This was the opening of the R500 000 Pick 6 carryover which was expected to produce a pool of R3 million, but fell short of the target and ended on a net R2 480 024,25.
