The connections of Trentham specialist (King) Mufhasa (NZ) are hoping his preference for Wellington will provide the edge they need against top mare Veyron (Thorn Park) in the G1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.

“There’s no doubt he enjoys racing at Trentham, where he has won three of his four starts against top opposition,” said trainer Stephen McKee.  “He’s as good as I can get him at present and really our main worry is the track conditions as he doesn’t want it any worse than dead.”

Rain and strong winds are predicted for Trentham although the track was officially rated a Dead 5 on Thursday afternoon.

Longer term plans for (King) Mufhasa include a similar path to the one he took last summer with the G1 Waikato Draught Sprint at Te Rapa and possibly the G1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield as the likely targets.

The champion sprinter-miler claimed his 10th Group 1 victory in the Windsor Park Plate at Hastings in September.  His roll-call of elite victories includes the 2009 Waikato Draught Sprint & Telegraph Hcp, 2010 Otaki Maori Stakes, 2011 Mudgway Stakes, Toorak Hcp, Waikato Draught Sprint, Captain Cook Stakes, Telegraph Hcp, 2012 Futurity Stakes and Windsor Park Plate.

(King) Mufhasa (8g Pentire – Sheila Cheval by Mi Preferido) was bred and sold by Rich Hill Stud for $50,000 at the 2006 NZB Select Sale.  He is raced by David, Simon and Natalie Archer along David’s partner Diane Wright.