Archie Alexander is daring to dream of a certain two mile race at Flemington in November for Mosh Music, who has risen from a modest background to win six of her eight starts, the last four in succession.
“It’s pretty rare for any horse to be able to do that,” he said. “It’s quite amazing and she’s held her form so well.
“She may not be much better than she is now, but she could be a Melbourne Cup winner in waiting. Every time we’ve given her a tougher race she’s won.
"Every time we’ve given her a tougher race she’s won. " - Trainer Archie Alexander
“Who knows that she’s not a Melbourne Cup horse. We could put her in a Listed race and she could win that and then a Group 2 and then end up at the biggest level.”
Mosh Music’s career didn’t get off to a spectacular start when she ran seventh first time out at Kyneton a year ago, but since then she’s cut loose with her latest success in a Benchmark 84 contest over 2400 metres at Bendigo.
“Every horse that can win four in a row is a bit of a surprise,” Alexander said. “She goes okay at home without being a rocket.
“I guess she’s got a weird pedigree to assess. Her mother ran an Adelaide Cup so she could stay, but at the same time Moshe is from more of a sprinting background.”
“She goes okay at home without being a rocket.” – Archie Alexander.
The dam Dirt Music (Jeune {GB}) won six races up to 3000 metres when trained by Alexander’s foreman Greg Baker, who bred and part-owns Mosh Music.
“Mosh Music’s gone to the paddock now and that was always the plan,” Alexander said.
“We would have liked to run her in some bigger and better races at the right distance, but they weren’t around.
“The Bendigo race was just down the road so we put her in and she’s done the job. Next time around we’ll worry about travel and Group races.
“She just keeps on improving and the thing is that this has been only her second ever racing preparation.” – Archie Alexander.
“In the spring the rough plan would be the Bendigo Cup and the Queen Elizabeth. Every time we’ve put her in a better race she’s won.
“She just keeps on improving and the thing is that this has been only her second ever racing preparation. We’re certainly happy to have her.”
The 4-year-old Mosh Music is a grand-daughter of Lochnarie (Ire) (King’s Lake {Ire}) with the headline act in the pedigree the multiple Group 1 winner and sire Kalaglow (Ire) (Kalamoun {GB}).
Saccharo shows promise
Alexander was also rapt with the performance of his promising 3-year-old Saccharo (Magnus) to finish a close third in the Listed Jayco Bendigo Guineas.
“Another three or four strides and he’d have got there.” – Archie Alexander.
“He ran really well. It was frustrating and wasn’t the plan or anyone’s fault, but he couldn’t keep up. They rolled along over the 1400 metres and he got a lot further back than we wanted,” he said.
“Another three or four strides and he’d have got there. He needs a mile and he’s being aimed at the big VOBIS day at the end of April and the 3-year-old mile.”
Saccharo is the regular partner of Jordan Childs, who does the bulk of the stable’s riding and he was the driving force behind his father and former Group 1 jockey Greg taking a share in the horse.
“Jordan rides nearly everything for us and he came up to our open day and liked him (Saccharo) and got his Dad involved,” Alexander said. “He’s a good looking horse.
“He’s picked up a cheque every start he’s had so that’s very pleasing.” – Archie Alexander.
“He ran fifth in the G1 Caulfield Guineas behind The Autumn Sun. He’s picked up a cheque every start he’s had so that’s very pleasing.”
Alexander, whose father Hamish works for Goffs Ireland, began his racing career when he spent school holidays with Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson.
After leaving school, he worked in France for Alec Head and later became assistant trainer to Criquette Head-Maarek and then in the United States as travelling foreman for Todd Pletcher.
Back in England, he had a spell with prominent trainer Mark Johnson and ran a fillies’ yard for Irish maestro Aidan O’Brien. An invitation to work for leviathan owner Lloyd Williams drew him to Australia and subsequently establishing his own operation at Ballarat.
