Promising three-year-old Mindgames will take a significant step up in class this Saturday when he contests the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes at Royal Randwick, providing connections with an exciting opportunity to race at the top level at just his fourth start.
By Japanese stallion Maurice, Mindgames is out of the Keeper mare Keepherinmind, a full sister to Group 1 New Zealand Oaks winner Keep The Peace. He was purchased by trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton at the NZB Ready to Run Sale and is now showing the promise that caught our eye as a young horse, winning his first two starts before suffering a luckless defeat last weekend.
Mindgames made an immediate impression when winning on debut at Wyong in July before returning from a spell with an equally encouraging performance at Goulburn earlier this month.
Mindgames wins his first two starts
His winning streak came to an end last weekend, although there was plenty of merit in the performance. Drawn one, he found himself held up at a crucial stage, leaving him with too much to do when clear running eventually presented.
Despite the result, the stable was encouraged by the way he finished off and galloped through the line, suggesting the step up to 2000m this Saturday should be right up his alley.
Mindgames has come through his last run in excellent order. With last weekend’s run proving relatively untaxing, he pulled up particularly well and has continued to please the stable throughout the week, giving connections confidence in backing him up just seven days later.
He has drawn barrier one in a field of nine in Saturday’s race, with Tim Clark booked to ride. While it represents a considerable rise in grade for the lightly raced gelding, his progressive profile and the prospect of a more suitable distance make it an opportunity well worth taking.