FLEM NOV 04 - CURTANA BACKS UP TO WIN GUCCI STAKES

By Taron Clarke | Saturday, November 6, 2010

Flemington, November 4, 2010.
Track - Slow 7. Rail - Out 6m. Penetrometer: 5.02.
Gucci Stakes (Listed) 3YO Fillies SW+P - 1200m.
Time: 1-10.87. 600m Sectional: 35.59. (Carrying 54kg).
1 Curtana; 2 Wonderful Lass; 3 Candy Stripes.
Margins: 1.0L x 0.4L.

Consistent filly Curtana backed up from her second placing behind Star Witness in last Saturday’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes to claim an easy victory in the Listed Gucci Stakes for three-year-old fillies on Oaks day.

With regular stable rider Luke Nolen suspended, jockey Ben Melham took over the mount and made no mistakes on board the Peter Moody trained daughter of Exceed And Excel.

Curtana is a well-related galloper and her half-brother Sunburnt Land was also a Listed Race winner of the Henry Buck Straight Six over 1200 metres in 2008.

Sunburnt Land was tragically killed by a lightning strike in his spelling paddock after placing in the 2008 Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic also down the Flemington straight.

Curtana was sent out an easing favourite to start 4.00. The filly duly saluted by a length over Wonderful Lass with a half-length back to Candy Stripes in third.

The victory gave Contract Racing boss David Moodie some consolation after his glamour three-year-old filly and Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily was sent to the spelling paddock after only two disappointing runs this campaign.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Peter Moody: “The form looked like good didn't it? I was happy to be right, I said to David early last week ‘I think we can nearly win Saturday and we're a good thing Thursday', so we weren't too far off the mark.

“Unfortunately we missed the Group 1, but it was very important for her to get that Black Type today.

“I’m not one to back them up but, realistically, as David pointed out, if we had have won the Wakeful at 2000 metres we'd be running the filly at 2500 metres and this filly's only going 1200 metres to 1200 metres.

“She goes for a well-earned break now and I think we've got a nice filly for the autumn.

“I think five and six furlong races are most suitable. She'll be in the back-end of the autumn now and maybe into Sydney or something like that, but I'm sure we'll find a nice target race for her.

“I think the wet tracks have hampered her and she's done a tremendous job to run second and win this week because I've got no doubt in the world she's more solid on top of the ground.

“As Sunburnt Land her brother did. He was better at four and five. He’s unfortunately not with us but hopefully this filly can take his spot at the top end of the sprinters.”

Jockey Ben Melham: “It's a good thrill for me to be riding Pete's horses on big days like this and I'm glad to kick it off with a winner.

“It was just a matter of if she backed up. She felt a million dollars going to the start and actually nearly left me behind in the barriers, but she travelled terrific throughout and really attacked the line well.

“I had a walk of the track after the first and I didn't think it was as bad as they're saying.

"Obviously with all the traffic throughout the first two days it's going to be a little bit worse, but underfoot it's not that bad and she handled it pretty well.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Curtana): 3.20 out to 4.20 into 4.00.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Sultah was a late withdrawal at 7.40am on veterinary advice and trainer Mr D Hayes will submit a veterinary certificate in respect of it.

Spurcific was vetted after arriving on course after being a late withdrawal on Melbourne Cup Day on veterinary advice and was subsequently passed suitable to race today.

Curtana jumped awkwardly with its head up and shortly afterwards dipped.

Andronica was slow to begin.

Offshore Sham had to be checked to avoid the heels of Chance Bye near the 400m when disappointed for a clear run between Chance Bye and Wonderful Lass.

Near the 100m Anabaa’s Legacy (NZ) shifted in and bumped Parriwi before being straightened.

M Rodd reported at scale that Dutchy’s Lass over-raced in early stages.

A subsequent veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities and connections advised that Dutchy’s Lass would now be spelled.

K O’Hara advised that she felt something was amiss with Chance Bye.

A post race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

More articles