Source: racenet.com.au

Former New Zealand mare Chica Mojito ended her Australian drought in emphatic fashion at Wyong on Saturday with a slashing victory in The Lakes (1600m).

The five–year-old Zacinto mare went into the $500,000 feature as the winner at just one of her 23 career starts, that success coming at Cambridge in New Zealand as a maiden right back in September, 2023.

Since arriving on Australian shores, the Chris Waller-trained Chica Mojita has been nothing but a model of consistency, finishing in the minor end of the prize on no less than 10 occasions.

But a breakthrough Aussie win had proven elusive – and frustrating – until Wyong on Saturday where the talented mare did it in style – breaking the Wyong 1600 metre track record in the process.

“She’s been crying out to break through for a win like that and she really deserved that today,” Chris Waller’s stable representative Darren Beadman said.

“Andrew (Adkins) used the good gate and got her into a really nice spot and off a good fast speed she was able to present well wide and finish off like she did.

“It’s great for Brad Spicer and the owners and for all the team at Chris Waller Racing. It’s a team effort and a great result.”

It’s with some irony that fresh off breaking her Australian duck, Chica Mojito will now in all likelihood return to New Zealand for a lucrative race on Karaka Millions Raceday at Ellerslie on January 24.

Part-owner Brad Spicer said Waller was quickly on the phone in the race aftermath at Wyong to put the New Zealand event firmly on the agenda.

“Chris was on the phone after the race to say he’s got a race at Karaka picked out for her so that’s the plan now,” Spicer said.

“She’d probably been classified as a bit of a ‘nonnie’ going into today and it’s a bit funny that she’s won probably the hardest race she’s contested for a while.

“But in saying that she hasn’t had a lot of luck a lot of the time either.

“Last start in the Belle Of The Turf at Gosford, Zac (Lloyd) got caught in behind them and nothing went right.

“The way Wyong was playing today, with everyone wanting to get up on the speed, it played into her hands.

“She does try. It’s a great result.”

Spicer said his ownership consortium purchased a half-share of Chica Mojito as a three-year-old with a New Zealand Oaks tilt in mind.

“She never got to the race and when she arrived in Australia with Chris he worked out she wasn’t going to stay after the Queensland Guineas,” Spicer said.

“Chris has done a top job with her and today’s win is a great reward for everyone involved with her both here and in New Zealand.”

Chica Mojito’s ($17) two length The Lakes success maintained Waller’s unblemished record in the race, having won the inaugural running last year with Waterford.

And the champion trainer almost made a clean-sweep of the race with Mare Of Mt Buller ($14) finishing second while Sun God ($7) was just edged out for third by Gallant Star ($8.50).

“Mare Of Mt Buller has got home fantastic,” Beadman added.

“She got into a tricky spot from the wide gate but couldn’t have gone better.

“Sun God has run really well too. He’s nearing another win.

“It’s been a good race to us. Chris winning last year with Waterford and now again with Chica Mojito today.”

Chica Mojito was one of three winners for Waller on the Wyong card with Unlimited and Althoff also prevailing.

Unlimited led home a stable trifecta with Sounds Unusual and Elliptical finishing in the minors.