Mystified goes back-to-back in Melbourne with Caulfield win
MORPHETTVILLE-based filly Mystified made it consecutive victories in Melbourne after winning the Ike Hollingworth Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday.
The three-year-old was a winner on debut at Morphettville before running two handy fourth placings. It then came east to score immediate success at Moonee Valley and it defied them again on Saturday when finishing over the top of them down the outside.
There were many winning hopes heading into the home straight with race-favourite Nasdex hitting the front as they turned, but the Ryan Balfour-trained filly ($8.40 at CrownBet) powered over the top of them with senior rider Dwayne Dunn in the saddle.
“She settle down nicely in a three-wide position,” Dunn said. She quickened a bit better than I thought around the bend and she only did what she had to.
“Ryan Balfour’s done a great job with this filly, just trying to get her to work out how to race properly and by doing that the scores are on the board.”
Amadeus made a late surge on the inside of Mystified for jockey Craig Williams, who won the opening race with Catchy, but Dunn said his runner had plenty more to give.
“She’s got a nice 300-metre run,” he said. “She quickened nicely and put them away.
“Craig (Williams) got close to me late, but I still had plenty up my sleeve.”
Representing trainer Ryan Balfour was winning owner Ernie Borriello, who stated the three-year-old is likely to spell following the win.
“We thought she’d go alright today, Ryan was very confident,” Borriello said.
“Ryan’s got a pretty good opinion of this filly, I think shes going to go straight to the paddock.
“I think he’s going to get her ready for the autumn at Morphettville and pick a race out there.”