IT'SMEMARIO AND MAHBABY MAKE IT A COREY AND KYLIE GERAN STABLE DOUBLE

By Graham Potter | Saturday, September 14, 2024

The Corey and Kylie Geran trained It’smemario wouldn’t claim star status, but there is a nice rhythm to the results that punctuate the chestnut’s form-line in recent times which many others would be happy to emulate.

Since June, It’smemario has raced seven times recording a win, then two starts … a win then two starts … then a win (as the beat goes on) with the latest win coming in a Class 3 Handicap over 1625m at Toowoomba on September 14.

The Toowoomba venue is also a standout in that lineup with all four of It’smemario’s career wins coming at the track which is his home base.

It’smemario came into the September 14 assignment off the back of a third place finish over the same track and distance in a BM58 Handicap just a week earlier. On that occasion he was set to carry 63kg, an impost which came down to 60kg with the claim of apprentice Landan Sykes.

This time he again had 60kg on his back, but with senior jockey Nozi Tomizawa in the saddle.

Jumping at a starting price of $4.40, It’smemario settled just worse than midfield as the field went down the back stretch, racing one off and some five lengths off the lead.

Then, in the long sweep to the home turn, Tomizawa had It’smemario begin what would be a long, grinding run.

There were no sparks … no stunning acceleration, just a real focused commitment that gradually helped It’smemario gain ground. Swinging five wide on straightening with just under four lengths to make up,

It’smemario just kept coming.

He was up to third at the 200m and then made it a line of three runners contesting the lead approaching the 100m mark.

And still It’smemario just kept coming.

The Geran runner’s stout effort was duly rewarded when he hit the front with 50m left to run and stayed on well enough to seal a well-deserved win by 0.50 lengths, ahead of a very keen go for the minor placings where only 0.40 lengths separated the next three horses across the line.

It’smemario was the first leg of a Geran training double at the meeting.
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Mahbaby provided the second leg of that double in a BM72 Handicap over 1100m.

A seven-time winner coming into this race … which included a win in the $105 000 Country Stampede Final at Doomben. Mahbaby also had a fourth place finish in the King Of The Mountain to her credit where she finished behind the likes of Rothfire, Steady Ready and Master Jamie, when only 1.50 lengths behind the winner … results which underlined his ability and seemed to put her in good stead for this race if she was anywhere near his best.

Punters had a question mark behind that possibility though and Mahbaby’s price was allowed to drift from $7 out to a $9 starting price, which was very generous odds as things turned out.

Mahbaby’s official winning margin was one length, but the win was oh so much more impressive than that statistic.

Mahbaby landed in the leading line at the break, but then went back through the field to land in last place … and a clear last … some five lengths off a keen, early chase for the lead up front.

Apprentice Olivia Kendal, riding with a 3kg claim, was content to hold her position while the cut and thrust continued amongst the leading group in the sweep to the home turn, before taking Mahbaby five wide into the straight … into clear air now … but still with four lengths to make up.

Mahbaby’s run home from there was quite superb.

The six-year-old mare powered home, not only passing runner after runner with astonishing ease, but doing so with seemingly an ease of effort which gave no sign of Mahbaby even getting anywhere close to being pushed into top gear.

End Assembly, the $1.70 favourite who had looked all over a winner with 150m left to run, was the last domino to fall, with Mahbaby going past the main fancy inside the last 40m to win with something to spare.

All things considered, it was a big win.

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