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/ Timeform / 19 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Mosheen has completed the Australian Guineas – Randwick Guineas double
"Mosheen.. is currently the second highest Timeform rated three-year-old filly over 1600m to 2000m, behind Atlantic Jewel (128+)."
The records keep tumbling for crack filly Mosheen who overcame difficulties last Saturday to win the G1 Randwick Guineas over 1600m at headquarters...
The win by Mosheen made her the first filly to win the Randwick Guineas since it's inauguration in 2006, replacing the time honoured Canterbury Guineas that had been previously run over 1900m dating back to 1935.
In addition Mosheen is the first horse to have won the Australian Guineas - Randwick Guineas double, as well as the first filly to win the treble of Group o1 races, VRC Oaks-Australian Guineas-Randwick Guineas, something we may not see achieved again for a very long time.
It takes an exceptional filly to win those three races and Mosheen has certainly proved herself that. However, to some extent she still lives in the shadow of another filly, the unbeaten Atlantic Jewel who treated Mosheen with such contempt in the 1000 Guineas over 1600m at Caulfield last October.
Admittedly Mosheen has improved a great deal since then, but so too has Atlantic Jewel and even trainer Robert Smerdon who regards Mosheen as the best horse he has trained, is not keen to engage Atlantic Jewel anytime soon.
In its short history the Randwick Guineas has quickly made a name for itself as quality race, capable of producing good horses.
The 2011 renewal won by Ilovethiscity has not produced as many subsequent winners as the other renewals have but Queensland Derby Shootoff winner was in that field.
However the 2010 renewal produced subsequent G1 AJC Derby winner Shoot Out, G1 Epsom Handicap winner Captain Sonador, G1 Rosehill Guineas winner Zabrasive, G1 SA Derby winner Kidnapped and G1 Railway Stakes winner Gathering.
The previous four renewals have produced nine subsequent G1 winners and 20 overall Stakes winners - not bad for a race only in its infancy.
Last Saturday's Randwick Guineas was looked upon as a match between G1 winning gelding Manawanui and Mosheen, however with 200m to travel neither looked a chance of victory.
Manawanui who again travelled close to the lead failed to detonate when put under pressure while Mosheen was still some five lengths off the lead and looking for clear running.
Once rider Dan Nikolic angled Mosheen into the open she accelerated like the good horse she is quickly gathering up the leaders to win surging away by a neck.
The final assessment of the race was not straightforward. In this instance the margin is not reflective of the merit of the win plus second and third placegetters Said Com and Laser Hawk were both coming off restricted class races both factors tending to hold the race back to a value under the five year average.
Others factors in the mix when assessing the quality of the race are, a bunched finish, the fact Mosheen was coming off a career peak effort at her previous start fourteen days prior and those efforts are seldom backed up next start. Mosheen also suffered buffeting during the race that cost her valuable ground.
Consequently Mosheen ran to a 115+ Timeform rating some nine pounds under her previous peak figure while Said Com and Laser Hawk ran to vastly improved ratings of 118 and 117 respectively.
Interestingly fourth placegetter Ambidexter ran to his master value while Manawanui continues his current flat line ratings profile around nine pounds under his peak Spring rating.
In respect of Manawanui, maybe the arduous Spring campaign that saw him "spent" when narrowly downed by Helmet after a titanic struggle all the way up the Caulfield straight is having an impact on him regaining his best form?
Certainly there are signs emerging this campaign with both Helmet and Manawanui this could be the case. Both are currently well below form.
I will be surprised if the form from the Randwick Guineas does not hold up and again prove to be a strong reference over the coming weeks.
As for Mosheen, she is currently the second highest Timeform rated three-year-old filly over 1600m to 2000m, behind Atlantic Jewel (128+). Quality Sydney filly Streama has a Timeform rating of 122 at 1600m, but is yet to be tried over a middle or staying distance.
Mosheen's immediate target will be the G1 Vinery Stakes over 2000m at Rosehill in two weeks time where she races against her own age and sex. The opposition will be easier than she raced against in either of her last two outings and she looks certain to start very much in the red.
Under those circumstances, it is hard to see her improving her master rating past 124 in that assignment, but the AJC Oaks (her next probable race) could be a different story as she will meet improving New Zealand Oaks winner Silent Achiever.
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