Danny O’Brien seems to have unearthed another promising staying filly in Hurry Curry, who claimed the Crown Oaks Preview (1800m) at Flemington on Sunday.
O’Brien is already eyeing a step up in distance and grade for Hurry Curry’s next start in the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 19.
Depending on her performance there, Hurry Curry could then proceed to the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 2, with the ultimate goal being the Group 1 Victoria Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on November 7.
With Jye McNeil in the saddle, Hurry Curry ($3.80) secured a comfortable 1.5-length victory over Inevitable Truth, with Our Paramour finishing just 0.2 lengths further back in third.
O’Brien was pleased with how the filly handled the 1800-metre trip at just her third race start.
“The first time at 1200 metres was very much an education run, and her second start at Bairnsdale she won very convincingly,” O’Brien said.
“She was having her third start today, and she’s probably won quite soft again.
“It’s promising signs, and she’s a filly that will only get better in the autumn. But for now, we’ll give her a chance to push on into the spring,” he added.
“She probably won’t race again for four weeks. She’ll go to the race on Caulfield Cup day, then onto the Wakeful, and if everything is going well, the Oaks.
“She’s a typical middle-distance horse, and the first time you really get a good look at them is in a mile maiden, which is when they’re suited. If they can handle that, you can step up the pressure and distance.
“She looks like she’s going to appreciate 2000 metres and beyond, and that’s the challenge with the Derby and Oaks—testing how quickly they can get to that sort of distance early in their three-year-old season.
“She looks like that kind of horse.”
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