TOUCH OF GRACIE PASSES THE TEST

By Graham Potter | Saturday, April 6, 2024

The Corey and Kylie Geran trained Touch Of Gracie ticked several new boxes when she got the better of Purezza in a straight two-way fight to the line in a Class 2 Handicap over 1300m at Toowoomba on April 6.

The four-year-old daughter of Toronado came into the race off the back of a highly creditable third placing in town at Eagle Farm, while also boosting a consistent form-line which saw her claim a win, a second, third and fourth placing in her four starts since transferring to the Geran stable.

It looked like she had plenty to offer in this field and she was duly installed as the $2.45 favourite.

Two new factors were in play here though ... a heavy 9 track and the 1300m trip.

With still under the care of the Ciaron Maher / David Eustice stable, Touch Of Gracie had raced poorly in her two starts on heavy going. Couple that concern with the 1300m distance, the longest distance she had been asked to tackle in her career, and it was clear that Touch Of Gracie did have work to do, but she passed both of those tests with flying colours by turning in a near faultless performance from start to finish.

Karl Zecher made perfect use of the number three barrier by immediately slipping into third spot on the rail, racing at a comfortable gallop two to three lengths off Purezza ($6) who had gone straight to the front.

Touch Of Gracie moved into a clear second place In the middle of the sweep to the home turn ... travelling well ... and she continued to close the gap on the Purezzi until she moved right up alongside the long time leader as the field straightened for home.

Purezzi was up for the fight though, making it a two-way battle all the way to the line.

Even when Touch Of Gracie finally headed Purezzi inside the final 100m, Purezzi fought back again to still provide a threat to Touch Of Gracie, but the Geran runner remained strong to the line to claim victory by a 0.20 length margin to give the KO & KC Thoroughbred Racing Group another success.

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