One To Watch - Newcastle

Mark Smith - Saturday August 22

After chalking up his 100th stakes-winner recently, Waikato Stud’s champion stallion Savabeel has another very promising horse in the making in the Chris Waller-trained Mo'unga who kept his record at a perfect two for two at Newcastle on Saturday.

Ridden by Lee Magorrian in a benchmark 64 over 1400m at Newcastle, Mo'unga came from the tail of the field to towel up a field of some progressive types.

Coming off a career debut win over 1400m at the Gold Coast on June 12, the 3yo colt defeated the impressive Wagga winner Lions Roar (Contributer) by one and a half lengths with last start Kembla winner Steely (All Too Hard) a further half length back in third.

Mo'unga carries the Aquis silks after they purchased him for $325,000 out of the Waikato Stud draft at the 2019 NZB Karaka Book 1.  

Advertisement

He is the third foal and first winner for the Group III placed O’Reilly mare Chandelier who is a sister to the Group II Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes winner and Group 1-placed Irlanda.

Chandelier has a yearling filly by Savabeel and was covered by the champion son of Zabeel again last season.

Advertisment

Race Result - Macka's Sand & Soil (Bm64) 1400m

Newcastle Track: Good(3) Time: 1:24.63
1
Mo'unga
- 3c Savabeel (AUS) x Chandelier (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: L Magorrian 55.5
2
1.5
Lion's Roar
- 3g Contributer (IRE) x Minnaleo (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe (USA))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: K S Latham 55.5
NZB Karaka Book 1 $180,000
Seller: Prima Park
Buyer: Raptors Thoroughbreds Ltd
3
2.0
Steely
- 4g All Too Hard (AUS) x Quintessential (NZ) (Fast 'n' Famous (AUS))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: C Reith 60.5
4
2.2
Super
- 5g Snitzel (AUS) x Good Weekend (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: M S Minervini Rdr: B Griffiths 55
5
5.6
Skyray
- 5g Smart Missile (AUS) x Distinctive (AUS) (Falbrav (IRE))
Tnr: C E Conners Rdr: Tyler Schiller 52.5
6
5.9
Undoubted
- 5g Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Sky Cuddle (AUS) (Snippets (AUS))
Tnr: J C Coyle Rdr: Mitchell Bell 55.5
7
6.0
Exhibition
- 3c Vancouver (AUS) x Haiku (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: R & M Freedman Rdr: Brodie Loy 59.5
8
6.3
Dynamited
- 5g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Shatters (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Richard Litt Rdr: A B Collett 58.5
9
6.7
Nitride
- 5g All Too Hard (AUS) x Gosetgo (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: A J Denham Rdr: C Lever 59
10
6.9
Cracking Mo
- 4g Uncle Mo (USA) x Goldam (AUS) (Twining (USA))
Tnr: Lauri Parker Rdr: B Spriggs 57
11
7.2
Oakfield Target
- 5g Dundeel (NZ) x Oakfield Beauty (AUS) (Danewin (AUS))
Tnr: D Lane Rdr: G Buckley 58
12
8.5
Power Lift
- 5g Power (GB) x Highflying (NZ) (Entrepreneur (GB))
Tnr: R & L Price Rdr: B Mc Dougall 59
13
9.7
Invincible Dash
- 4g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Global Dream (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: A Layt 59.5
More Reading...
Stakes Potential for Hello Youmzain Filly
Attractiveness may be in line for an early black-type assignment following her breakthrough success at Gosford on Thursday.
Mega Maiden Bonus for Up-And-Comer Chilling Out (NZ)
A lucrative victory in Wednesday’s NZB Mega Maiden Series (1400m) at Ruakaka could be a stepping stone to bigger things for Chilling Out (NZ) (Savabeel).
Russian Revolution Filly Wins $250,000 Magic Millions Debut
At the Gold Coast on Friday night, Russian Revolution filly Lumbini started a warm favourite for the $250,000 Magic Millions Debut (1000m), but punters were looking decidedly anxious when the filly turned for home locked up on the fence behind the leaders.
Waller Targets G3 Grand Prix with Kiwi Bred 3YO
The Chris Waller-trained John Dory contests the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, with the progressive galloper installed a $3 favourite for the three-year-old contest.
The Skies the Limit for Savabeel's Mo'unga
The Chris Waller-trained Mo'unga went into everyone’s black book with his storming performance to win at Newcastle at his most recent start and the 3yo son of Savabeel was favoured to keep his record at a perfect three for three with his black-type debut in Saturday’s Listed Drinkwise Dulcify Quality (1500m) at Rosehill.
Sires With Winners - Thursday December 18
Here is the full list of 35 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Seymour
With his oldest progeny now three year-olds Russian Camelot (IRE) can be expected to start making his presence felt a little more and he had an impressive winner at Seymour on Thursday for Roll the Dice Racing.
Magic Winner for Wootton Bassett
The Magic Bloodstock colours made famous by the great champion Winx were in action at Canterbury on Friday night carried to victory in the opening race by promising Wootton Bassett (GB) filly Wootton Way.
Shalaa Filly Puts Them to the Sword in $125,000 GC 1000
The Bjorn Baker trained Shalaa (IRE) filly Swordplay has a wing on every foot and she dazzled at the Gold Coast on Friday night when showing brilliant gate speed to lead throughout and win the $125,000 Evegreen Turf GC 1000 (1000m).
G3 Eulogy Shines Spotlight On Emerging NZB Filly of the Year Contenders
Undefeated filly Well Written (Written Tycoon) has dominated the early stages of the 2025-26 NZB Filly of the Year Series, but the complexion of the series might start to change with this weekend’s fifth leg.