Sales pitch works with Morethannumberone

By Glenn Davis

The sales pitch for Morethannumberone has so far been on the money but the real test will come in the Listed Recognition Stakes at Doomben on Wednesday.

Morethannumberone is still eligible for restricted races and has won three of his five starts for Gold Coast trainer Michael Costa, who bought him for $31,000 at an online auction.

In early TAB fixed betting, Morethannumberone is a $4.40 second favourite behind $3.50 favourite The Harrovian.

The four-year-old, Morethannumberone, was ridden by Andrew Mallyon at his most recent start when he flashed home to finish third to the Paul Nolan-trained Don’t Stop in a Benchmark race over 1400 metres at Doomben on November 13.

However, comeback jockey Ben Thompson will partner the son of More Than Ready in his first Stakes race.

Morethannumberone had a modest record of one win from 15 starts for his previous trainers Gary and John Moore.

It was believed his oversized testicles were the cause of him not fulfilling his true potential and his former owner suggested whoever bought him would have a lot of fun if Morethannumberone was gelded.

Costa followed the advice and gelded Morethannumberone, who immediately delivered on his former owner’s sales pitch.

Costa ventured across the border for Morethannumberone’s stable debut winning a Benchmark race at Grafton in July.

He then ran second in a Class 3 at Doomben when he went down in a photo before winning his next two starts on his new home track at the Gold Coast in August and September.

The Recognition Stakes was to be run over 1400 metres at the Gold Coast last Saturday but was a victim of the recent big wet and was transferred to Doomben with a distance change to 1350 metres.

The Recognition Stakes has already lost two of its big guns following the early scratchings of Gem Song and Tambo’s Mate, who both ran at Rosehill last Saturday.

Doomben is currently rated a heavy 10 following more rain since the weekend and on Tuesday morning. 

Morethanumberone is a proven wet track performer winning on a soft track and has placed twice from his only two starts on heavy tracks.