Masterful win by Muirfield

Exciting galloper Muirfield was in strong winning form at Ballarat on Sunday, the lightly raced and talented four-year-old impressive at only his second run back from a lengthy spell.

Having caught the eye with a fast finishing sixth when resuming over 1300m at Sandown, Muirfield relished the step up to the mile and punters were keen in their support, sending him out a hot odds-on favourite.

Getting back on a track suiting the on-pacers, Muirfield was however always travelling well for Nick Hall (pictured) and when asked for his effort in the straight he quickly picked up – sweeping past his rivals. The margin was not a big one but the style of the victory was a convincing one and Hall was impressed.

“He has got a good turn of foot and he showed strong competitiveness through the line,” he said.

Having had only ten starts, Muirfield still has a bit to learn, Hall reporting that he raced a bit keenly despite the good tempo – “but he was still able to be strong at the finish.”

By the regally bred AJC Derby winner Don Eduardo (also sire of Ballymore’s Gr.2 winner Divine Rebel), Muirfield is a $65,000 Karaka graduate selected as a yearling by Paul Moroney.

Raced by Rupert & Cheryl Legh Racing, Ballymore Stables, Noel & Judith Griffin, Tony McGrath, Ian Frykberg, the Ark Syndicate and the GG Syndicate (manager Gerard Peterson), he is out of the unraced Centaine mare Centennial Star - half sister to the Gr.2 mare She's Fun, grandam of Gr.1 WA Derby winner Cats Fun from the family of the Gr.1 winners Trappings, The Pooka, Sound Horizon, Lady Sybil, Amerigo Lady and Virginia Rapids.