Mistegic Shines, Rubitano Flops in McEwen

Monday, 19 August 2002 00:00

Mistegic’s spring plans remain on track after he held out the fast finishing Shaye Spice to win Saturday’s listed Ian McEwen Trophy (1000m) at Moonee Valley.

After jumping out of the gates in good style the Strategic gelding sped to the front and held a narrow advantage before slipping clear of his rivals at the top of the home straight.

An expected challenge from the in form sprinter Rubitano never eventuated and that gelding weakened badly over the concluding stages to finish at the tail of the field.

Winning trainer Lee Curtis said Mistegic will spend a few days resting at his northern Victorian property before a Group One target.

"He’ll stay here in Victoria and run in the Manikato next," Curtis said referring to the Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley next month.

"He’s such a good little horse and he’s very tough," Curtis said. "He always gives us his best, and you can’t ask for any more than that."

Leading Melbourne based rider Damien Oliver will retain the ride on Mistegic for at least his next run in the Manikato.

Oliver jumped off Shaye Spice to ride Mistegic on Saturday and he has already been booked to again partner the gelding next start.

The favourite for Wednesday night’s Scobie Breasley Medal likened Mistegic to the internationally proven Australian sprinter Falvelon.

"There wouldn’t be a lot between them," Oliver said. "Both of them (Mistegic and Falvelon) are high class sprinters."

Glen Boss, who is recovering after suffering a serious fall while on an international riding stint, is expected to be reunited with Mistegic after the Manikato.

Oliver said on Saturday the gelding pleased him with his win although he was a little shell shocked at the below par performance of Rubitano.

"I was a bit surprised," Oliver said. "I thought he’d (Rubitano) come with me from the home turn."

The ordinary performance from Rubitano has been put down to the slow track conditions. His rider Nash Rawiller told stewards he felt the ordinary track brought about his undoing, while Brian Mayfield-Smith felt the track was the major problem as well.

PICS - Quentin Lang.