Emerging harness racing star Mister Mundaka will be out to maintain his stunning unbeaten record as a front runner when he lines up in the Group 2 $70,000 Wimmera Mail-Times Horsham Pacing Cup on Sunday.
The six- year -old Bettor's Delight gelding has not been beaten in 10 starts while leading since arriving at trainer Andy Gath’s stable from New Zealand 12 months ago.
But he will face his toughest test at the head of affairs holding out the gun Margaret Lee trained pacer Keayang Steamer down the long Horsham home straight.
Gath has opted to bypass the SA Pacing Cup in preference for the trip up the Western Highway to Horsham.
“The horse didn’t really handle Globe Derby 100 percent in the Italian Cup and we thought he would be better suited around the big track at Horsham,” Gath said.
“So far it’s worked out having drawn the pole, because he has shown he is very hard to get past when he has led, ” he said.
Mister Mundaka has made the transition to open class in seamless fashion taking out the Popular Alm Free For All before finishing a gallant second behind Keayang Cullen at Ballarat in 1:53 after sitting parked.
Keayang Steamer has returned to the race track in good style following a lengthy injury enforced lay off and driver Glen Craven expects the lightly raced seven-year-old to improve on his last start fourth behind Bling It On at Bathurst on Boxing Day.
“He felt the long float trip and was a bit flat on the night but he should be back to his best at Horsham,” Craven said.
The pair look set to dominate the race from their front row draws while the Dean Braun trained Im Corzin Terror appeals as the most likely to ‘spoil the party’ on the back of his gallant placing behind It Is Billy in last week’s Geelong Cup.
by John Dunne