Mojito lands Prince Consort Stakes

RICHARD Azan’s MOJITO did everything wrong, yet got it all right, galloping off the home turn unbothered to scoot home by five and a half lengths in yesterday’s Prince Consort Stakes.

Giving backers quite the scare at odds of 2-5, the grey colt was slowly away from the dreaded inside post, stumbled a bit when hustled by Dane Dawkins, afterwards encountering traffic when trying to bore past rivals along the rail.

Despite all his troubles, MOJITO still managed to hit the front two and a half furlongs out, easing past BIG GUY IN THE SKY and REJECTED RAJA, after which it was a matter of how far he would have won, going by the furlong pole in 1:11.2 to clock 1:26.2 for seven furlongs.

MOJITO’s performance in the first 2000 Guineas prep confirmed his status as winter-book favourite for the three-year-old classics following his convincing victory in December’s Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes.

Dawkins, who earlier piloted RAMBLING ROSE on a gate-to-wire victory in the third event was ironically denied a three-timer on the nine-race card aboard SLAM DUNK for causing interference to Azan’s EAZY PEAZY in the eighth.

SLAM DUNK won by a nose in a tremendous stretch battle but the stewards found merit in Reyan Lewis’ jockey’s objection, reversing the placings in EAZY PEAZY’s favour.

The three-day Easter Carnival patronised by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association continues this afternoon with a 10-race card featuring the Easter Sprint Cup.