Five wins for flying Notta Mocha

Rising galloper Notta Mocha secured the 2018-19 horse of the year title in the Great Southern after a commanding fifth victory of the season at Albany’s Easter Sunday meeting.

Notta Mocha has been a revelation for trainer Roy Rogers this season, winning first-up in Albany in November and now having made it three wins on the bounce after prevailing over Canna Lily in the Eclipse Refrigeration Handicap (1500m).

Ridden by Daniel Staeck, the promising four-year-old settled in sixth but was sent forward nearing the home corner and powered down the middle of the track to win by 0.9 lengths.

Notta Mocha had won his past two Albany starts and jumped up to open company, carrying 56kg as he made it five wins in the Great Southern this season and seven in an exciting 20-start career.

“He was doing a lot of things wrong early in his career,” Rogers said.

“But he seems to be thriving at the moment.

“I think he can win one in town, maybe when they switch to Belmont as he likes the sting out of the ground.

“He’s now in open company and down in the weights but he can certainly gallop and next preparation he can even improve again.”

Rogers said the son of Danehill Express would have a short freshen-up before targeting a graduation race in Perth.

Earlier, Rogers had success with Soramimi, who broke his maiden status with a deserving 0.3-length win with Andrew Castle in the saddle.

The double lifted Rogers to 25.5 wins in a breakout season for his stable, but he still trails current leader Steve Wolfe (28 wins) with two meetings to play.

“I have 10-12 in work at the moment but I’m still chasing Wolfey,” he said.

“He is a hard man to knock down but it’s a good rivalry and keeps the racing exciting.

“I still feel like a winner and the staff are doing a great job.”