Regally-bred filly Mokulua found the right spot to break her maiden in Saturday’s Group II Fillies Classic (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
Given a peach of a ride by James McDonald, the Clarrie Connors-trained daughter of Redoute’s Choice defeated Whatafox (Foxwedge) by two and three-quarter lengths with Maracana (Shamexpress) a neck back in third.
The John Singleton homebred advancer her record to one win, two seconds, and a third from seven starts with earnings of $209,450.
“It’s lovely to ride a winner for Clarry in these colours.
“I remember (Mokulua’s dam) Dear Demi - she put me on the map, and it was nice to ride a really good winner for him with a quality filly.
“Her toughness and her will to win was there. The mid to early stages was a bit worrying - we kept getting shuffled back. Her electric turn-of-foot really helped her out, and with a bit of give in the ground she’s going to be a lovely filly in the autumn.”
With Connors back in Sydney, Mokulua was saddled up by Grahame Begg.
“She’s come off a quick back up this week and Clarry was keen to run her again today and bring her back in distance,” Begg said.
“It’s her first prep, but she’s done well in the last week and certainly got nice talent there and going forward, she can be placed in something similar.
“I think she’ll be going back to Sydney tomorrow. It is only her first prep and I’d say she’ll still go home.”
Mokulua is the second foal and second winner for the top-class dear Demi whose seven wins and over $2million in earnings were highlighted by her success in the 2012 Group 1 VRC Oaks.
Dear Demi has a yearling colt by Frankel (GB) and foaled a Pierro filly on September 8.
From the penultimate crop of Redoute’s Choice, Mokulua becomes the 179th stakes-winner for the Arrowfield Stud breed-shaper.
