Making atonement for his defeat in the recent Philip Feanny Gold Cup, the Ian Parsad-trained Mahogany returned to re-establish his domination in the $1.4-million Open Allowance contest on Saturday, October 28, 2023.

The well-decorated Mahogany swept all before him to win the three-year-old and upward race by an ever-increasing 6½-length win margin at the wire under the hand ride.

The much-talked-about American-bred Is That A Fact was anticipated to give Mahogany a run for his money, but the six-year-old chestnut gelding turned the race into a one-sided affair, clocking in a blistering time of 59.3 seconds (23.3 x 46.2) over five furlongs (1,000m) on the round course.

The need to make up for his charge’s 1½-length defeat by She’s My Destiny over seven furlongs in the Gold Cup was great enough for Henry Pratt, part-owner of Mahogany, to make the win a relief one for him.

“I think it was a good performance by Mahogany to win here and the jockey [Robert Halledeen] rode him very well today,” Pratt told the crowd.

“The last race was the first time that the jockey was riding him, and I think he was not accustomed to the horse and his behaviour. But this time he rode him accordingly, and as you can see, he was a lot more patient even though it was a sprint race. He just took him to the top of the lane, and then that was it.

“Mahogany is always in great condition, and I must tip my hat to Ian and the team at the stables, as they do a marvellous job with Mahogany all the time. You know, little things happen sometimes in the race, but he comes to the track well presented each time,” Pratt added.

With the Mouttet Mile (December 2) being the target, Pratt is very confident that Mahogany will represent the stable well in the US$ 150,000-mile race.

“The Mouttet Mile is important and so the trainer has a programme for him. We ticked the box today and there are one or two things more that we need to do before the big day comes but I am quite confident and the horse should be ready. With the jockey now has won on him, if he is the chosen rider, I think he will do a better job than the last time,” Pratt said.

Mahogany went off strongly at the start of the race with Robert Halledeen in the irons, and after a couple of strides, the six-year-old chestnut gelding grabbed pole position. Mahogany led Jordan Reign’s (Dane Dawkins), Is That A Fact (Reyan Lewis), and Freedom Street (Roger Hewitt) into the half-mile (800m) turn on a merry clip.

Despite being four wide coming off the home turn, Mahogany easily won ahead of Freedom Street and Jordan Reign’s. Is That A Fact finished second but was disqualified and placed fourth due to interference caused in deep stretch.