Ballarat Cup goes to Grampians

Grampians breeder Maurice Noske has won the LR Ballarat Cup (2200m) with gift horse Mujadale.

A Dunkeld-based sheep farmer, he was given the New Regent mare Newdale by friends in 2006 and she foaled Mujadale first-up.  “He won the Ararat Cup last time and each race it gets better,” Noske claimed.  “Now we’re heading home to Dunkeld for a flash BBQ.”

Mujadale benefited from a brilliant front-running ride by Kevin Forrester.  They opened up a four length lead and maintained that margin all the way down the straight to defeat At First Sight and Fat Al.

“I wanted someone who could rate the horse properly and give him every chance,” Stawell trainer Paul Jones said.  “He’s fairly highly strung but we taken him along slowly and are reaping the rewards now.”

Mujadale (Mujahid) has won 10 races and over $375,000 in prizemoney for Noske and a partnership that includes Judy Nichols.  His best wins last year were in the Sheep Hills Cup at Warracknabeal and the Carnival Hcp at Flemington on the Melbourne Cup undercard.

The LR Bagot Hcp (2800m) at Flemington on New Year’s Day is on the radar.  “I had a merino stud but wool had become unprofitable,” Noske recalled.  “A lot of the principles with rams are the same as with horses.”

Noske has a 2yo Captain Gerrard – Newdale colt and a yearling Master Of Design – Newdale filly.