Written by Paul Vettise
James McDonald dominated the card at Wyong this afternoon with a quartet of winners, including a black-type success aboard More Prophets (Smart Missile) in the Listed Mona Lisa S.
Sydney’s champion jockey won undercard events aboard Different Strokes (Hinchinbrook) and Akihiro (Maurice {Jpn}) before he struck again with Fumiko (Flying Artie) ahead of the Wyong Leagues Group-sponsored fillies and mares’ feature.
McDonald got his first feel of the John Thompson-trained More Prophets when they combined to land a BM8 event at Randwick last month and the mare handled a rise in class with aplomb.
The only doubt in McDonald’s mind pre-race was how the 5-year-old would handle the tighter Wyong circuit, but she took that in her stride as well.
“We all knew she had the ability and credit to John, who has taken his time and nursed her through the grades. I thought at Wyong, and the circumference that it is, that was the only thing that could get her beaten because of her racing style,” he said.
“She had improved from her last run and felt much more relaxed and the way she executed the 1350 metres instead of the 1200 metres was much, much better. I just loved the way she chimed in and hit the line well.”
“We all knew she (More Prophets) had the ability and credit to John (Thompson), who has taken his time and nursed her through the grades.” – James McDonald
As is her custom, More Prophets settled off the pace before improving near the turn and she wound up strongly to run down Bring The Ransom (Sebring), another mare who has been racing genuinely this preparation.
The favourite Great News (Uncle Mo {USA}) drew an outside barrier and that was the undoing of her after racing three and four wide and did well to cling to third after hitting the front early in the run home.
Thompson’s Racing Manager Danielle Podlewski said More Prophets was now likely to target the G3 Tibbie S. at Newcastle.
More Prophets pictured as a yearling, passed in at the 2018 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale
Berdibek too good
McDonald also teamed up with the favourite Dashing Willoughby (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the Listed Carlton Wyong Cup, but his luck was off this time and it was another import in Berdibek (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) who outstayed his opposition.
The John O’Shea-trained Berdibek drifted back to the back of the field from the outside gate before rider Hugh Bowman urged him to circle runners near the turn. They were widest into the straight and the grey finished relentlessly.
“We knew we had him in great form, but we needed a bit of luck. Hugh put him to sleep down the wide and when he relaxes he’s got a wonderful turn of speed,” O’Shea said. “Full credit to the horse and Jason Abrahams and the rest of the ownership group.”
At his previous appearance, a freshened Berdibek had claimed top honours in the Listed Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury.
“I would like to make special mention of Brenton Avdulla, who was on him the other day and then obviously had a bad fall and is recuperating, we haven’t forgotten you Brenton and love to see you back healthy soon and back on the horse.”
Berdibeck
O’Shea said Berdibek would make his next appearance in the G3 Newcastle Gold Cup.
“The winners of the Wyong Cup have got a tremendous record at Newcastle and the Newcastle track will suit him better.”
The Chris Waller pair of Criminal Code (Maschino) and Mubariz (GB) (Dansili {GB}) were second and third and their stablemate Dashing Willoughby petered out to finish ninth.
