Rusambo Wins Second McKenzie Stakes

Rusambo claimed his second successive victory in the Listed Mitchell McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

 

“We knew he was a quality horse, all he needed was to breakthrough and win one,” Paul Snowden said of Rusambo.

 

“Every start we've had with him we've raised the bar bit by bit and he's gaining confidence out of these wins,” Snowden's son and Melbourne foreman Paul said.

 

“They're only narrow wins, but to do what he does on this surface around this track it's quite promising going onto a bigger track.“He hadn't won a race until three weeks ago, that was the hardest thing for us, just trying to get a win out of him and he's put two together straight away.

 

That's giving him a great deal of confidence and it's giving us confidence that he's up to the challenge.”Rusambo ($6) achieved that aim two weeks ago at Moonee Valley and today confirmed the form with a short head victory over the equally impressive Dominant ($7.50).Adjuster ($51) ran an even race to finish third, a further half length away. 

 

Favourite Awesome Bro ($3.20) was fifth over the line after seemingly not appreciating the home turn, but protested against the winner, an objection that was dismissed by stewards.Rusambo's win continued Vlad Duric's winning run with Darley this season and the jockey said the colt.

 

“I was always going to ride him back because that's the way he goes about it this horse, he needs a cold rode and he's got a really powerful finish,” Duric said.“This horse wants 1400 (metres) and he showed that today. He just took a little bit to pick up and get rolling but he was really strong on the line.”