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Mosheen thrills her new Japanese owner

Saturday 4 February 2012
Robert Windmill

Mosheen's new Japanese owner Katsumi Yoshida was overjoyed and on the phone to her Australian connections moments after she launched her autumn campaign with a stunning win at Caulfield.

Yoshida, one of the world's biggest and most successful racehorse owners and breeders, recently bought a half share in the VRC Oaks winner for an undisclosed sum after becoming good friends with managing owner Phil Sly.

"The big boss (Yoshida) from over in Japan was just on the phone and he is ecstatic," Sly said.

Sly struck up a relationship with Yoshida when he met him in Japan last year.

He described Yoshida as a humble man despite his enormous success in the racing industry which includes the 2006 Melbourne Cup with Delta Blues.

"We just got on together and he likes to drink a bit of red wine from Australia and party a bit," Sly said.

Mosheen is likely to end up in Japan but her immediate future is in Australia where the Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 3 is likely to be her prelude to the Group One Coolmore Classic (1600m) on March 24.

After winning Saturday's Listed Shadwell Stud Australasia Stakes (1200m) she now goes to the Group Three Vanity (1400m) at Flemington on February 18.

"It is good to see things pan out the way they have," Sly said.

Trainer Robert Smerdon told connections Mosheen was only 80 per cent fit and would only get better.

"I am looking forward to 90 per cent, then 95 and maybe a 100," Sly said.

Jockey Danny Nikolic said Mosheen was going to win before the home turn when she tracked into the race with ease.

She had her ears pricked as she coasted to the line 1-3/4 lengths ahead of That's The One and Highly Recommended.

"I had the race won a long way out, from about the 600 metres," Nikolic said.

"She had relaxed well and I just let her cruise up to them on the turn and when I asked her to sprint she showed a good turn of foot.

"There is so much scope to this filly. She can win over six furlongs (1200m) and she can win over a mile and a half (2400m). It is all thumbs up for her."

Smerdon described the win as "a relief".

Mosheen has always shown great talent and as a two-year-old finished second to Sepoy in the Golden Slipper.

On Saturday she was having her first start since winning the VRC Oaks (2500m) by nine lengths.

Smerdon said Mosheen had proved she was top class.

"You just question if they can come back in the autumn after a short break but she did it well and actually popped her ears up to the line," Smerdon said.