Mossy Boots’ next step may be to top of podium

By Pat McLeod

John McCarthy’s ever-consistent bitch, Mossy Boots, may have spent limited time on the top of the podium, but that may be about to change as she races over more distance leading into the rich Queensland Golden Greys Summer Racing Carnival.

In a preview of what McCarthy predicts will be a common theme, Mossy Boots will contest a fifth grade 600 metre event on the Q2 Parklands circuit on Thursday night.

“I do believe that 600 metres is her distance,” the Wivenhoe Pocket-based trainer said.

“She hasn't had that many starts over that distance and I believe that now she is approaching a three-year-old, that is where she will finish off her career.

“I am doubtful whether she will go further than that, but I genuinely believe she will come into her own over the next few months over the 600 metres.

“With regular racing over the 600 metres, instead of continually dropping her back, that is where she will be at her best.”

Although McCarthy says there are no big-race goals planned for Mossy Boots over the 600 metres during the $2.1 million Summer Carnival, the Group 1 Golden Sands is an undeniable standout.

The 600 metre race on the Q2 is worth $100,000-to-the-winner, when decided on January 15.

“At this stage the rich distance racing in the upcoming summer carnival isn't what we are aiming for,” McCarthy said.

“However, naturally when we step her up to the 600 metres and if she improves and goes well enough, then of course we will be looking at it then.

“But, it is definitely a case of ‘see how she goes’.”

Mossy Boots is part of McCarthy’s extremely successful, homebred Aston Rupee and Pearl Za Diamond litter.

The six littermates have to date won $432,883 in prizemoney, with Mossy Boots’ contribution a hearty $101,340.

A closer look at her statistics reveals that she has reached that total with just six wins. She has 30 placings (20 seconds and 10 thirds) in her 51 starts.

McCarthy explains her lack of ‘gold medal-winning’ performances.

“Through a lot of her career she has raced in features and very good races, especially early in her career,” he said.

“She would so often run a place in the heat and in the Final of those feature races.

“They were also many good money races. So, although she wasn't winning, she was accumulating good prizemoney.

“She has almost always raced in good company.

“For example, just recently she campaigned in the Million Dollar Chase (winning through to the semi-final stage at Wentworth Park).

“It may have been a case of shooting for the stars, but I thought I would take her away for a trip to Gunnedah, where she won the regionals."

McCarthy says while his bitch has top ability, she is probably a little bit short of being a star.

“So, she's not quite on that top shelf, but a very handy bitch," he said. 

“Early on I was reluctant to step her up in distance, although she was finishing on so well in her races over the 520 metres.

“I kept considering stepping her up, but every time I did there was another nice little race for her.”

Mossy Boots’ resume includes: Finishing second in the Ipswich Futurity; third in the Ipswich Cup Consolation; second in the QGOLD Emerging Sprinters at Albion Park; third in the Bogie Leigh Futurity (Albion Park); and first in The Spark (Albion Park).