Mountjoy Earns Shot at Stakes Glory in Adelaide

Any further achievements for Mountjoy this campaign will be considered a bonus, but the Ballarat-based filly is set to take her chance at a lucrative Stakes victory this Saturday in Adelaide.

The two-year-old, prepared by Henry Dwyer, is slated to compete in the $120,000 David Peacock Oaklands Plate over 1400 metres at Morphettville Parks.

Mountjoy was originally targeted for the $125,000 Elvstroem Classic (1300m) at Swan Hill last month, a race she narrowly but impressively won from Fontein Jewel. Dwyer indicated that pursuing a Listed race while the filly was in peak condition was an opportunity not to be missed.

"The horse she beat at Swan Hill came out and won at Flemington the other day, so her form is good," Dwyer said.

"She can definitely run a place, if not win, and she's a well-bred filly that would be worth plenty if she could win over there."

A daughter of Street Boss and the Redoute's Choice mare Lorne, Mountjoy was acquired by Dwyer for NZ$150,000 at the Karaka Yearling Sale last year.

Dwyer initially harboured aspirations of a Karaka Millions campaign for Mountjoy, but a setback prevented this. However, a strong performance on Saturday could pave the way for a trip to the same meeting next year.

"We're going pretty deep into the winter with her running this week and I reckon she probably wants a decent break, so we might even try to get her over to New Zealand for the Karaka Millions three-year-old race," he said.

"We wanted to get her there for the two-year-old race, but we might just be a year behind."

Mountjoy is not Dwyer's only contender for the Oaklands Plate, with And There You Go, a Hellbent filly who finished third on debut at Donald, also heading to Adelaide.

"She surprised us a little bit running so well, it was an open-age maiden and she got home pretty well and nearly won," Dwyer said.

"I think that's more than enough to go against those two-year-olds over there, so it wouldn't surprise if she was to run a placing."

And There You Go secured the superior draw of Dwyer's two runners, drawing gate four, while Mountjoy will start from barrier 14 in the 14-horse field.

Jockeys Will and Ben Price, from Adelaide, have been booked to ride Mountjoy and And There You Go respectively.

Check out online bookmakers for the latest racing odds on the Oaklands Plate.