Dual Classic runner-up Mojo Star (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is targeting the G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June, Tom Pennington, the racing and operations manager for owner Amo Racing, revealed on Friday.
Pennington said of the Richard Hannon trainee, “I saw Mojo Star last week and he looks fantastic. He's working away and, touch wood, he's sound and in great form.
“He's moving well and Richard couldn't be happier with him at the moment, so hopefully it's going to be an exciting season for him.”
Second in the 2021 G1 Irish Derby behind Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), the entire found that Godolphin runner too good in Doncaster's G1 St Leger that autumn. Unplaced in that year's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, he stayed on the sidelines for most of 2022, but was only a half-length behind high-class stayer Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in Royal Ascot's Gold Cup. That rival has sustained a setback and his participation in a Gold Cup defence is unlikely at this time.
Pennington added, “You hate to see horses like Kyprios falling away as while it obviously makes it easier for us, you want to beat those horses on merit.
“We monitor Mojo Star on a daily basis, but at the moment he's going fantastic, he looks a picture and hasn't missed a day. We have made a few plans, but the dream would be to go to Ascot and have another go at the Gold Cup.
“There's lots of options [for a run before then], including the Further Flight at Nottingham in a couple of weeks over a mile and six [furlongs] in soft ground. You've got to remember he's only a maiden winner, so he wouldn't carry a penalty in a race like that.”
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