Punters had eyes for just two runners in Saturday’s Group III Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill, the superior wet trackers Mount Popa (IRE) and Polly Grey.
On a bottomless track, the pair fought out the finish with the Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes-trained Mount Popa (IRE), under Willie Pike, repelling the challenge of Polly Grey by a long-head with Marroni a further two lengths back in third as the field of 10 runners spread out over 42 lengths.
Twelve months ago Mount Popa (IRE) won the Mornington Cup. Ironically Rosehill was a washout that day.
“I’ve got to give Willie credit; he actually rode a really good race,” Michael Hawkes said.
“He just popped off at the right time at the 700, and to the horse’s credit, he’s third-up on a heavy 20, it’s pretty painful out there, and the last 50 to 100m was a slugfest.”
“He probably started knocking up a little bit but to his credit, he actually still fought hard and got the job done. A lot of these Europeans just take time. We are still learning about them, obviously he’s got a lot of upside.
“He has been racing in very good company. Today, it wasn’t really about the company, it was about the track and just trying to get through it.
“I really don’t think he liked it, he was dipping and diving a little bit there over the back, but he’s got the job done. Onwards and upwards now. It was a great effort.”
Pike set the winner to an all-out drive 600m out.
“It was a little bit of a make or break,” Pike admitted.
“It was probably a little bit early, but testing conditions of the track I didn’t want to leave it to chance. I knew it was the favourite (Polly Grey), but I knew it was a very good rider (Tommy Berry) and I thought I’d pop him in the clear just a smidge early. I know the other horse ran me to a head, but it was never passing me.”
“I’ve seen more rain in the past two weeks than I have in my lifetime.”
The 7yo gelded son of Maxios (GB) was never out of a place in ten starts in France when trained by Pascal Bary for the Niarchos family.
Purchased for €200,000 at the 2019 Arqana Autumn Sale in Deauville, Mount Popa advances his record to six wins, seven seconds, and three thirds from 21 starts with earnings of $655,554.
A half-brother to the Listed stakes-winner Unnefer (Danehill Dancer), Mount Popa (IRE) is one of five winners from eight to race out of the Silver Hawk mare Mimalia, a half-sister to the Epsom Derby hero Kris Kin (Kris S)..
