The Chris Waller-trained Kukeracha (NZ) (Night of Thunder) returned to the winner’s circle in style when he doubled his black-type tally with a resolute victory in the Listed Tails Stakes (1640m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Winless since he claimed top honours in last season’s Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) a return to the Sunshine state brought about the desired change in fortune for the son of Night Of Thunder.
“I feel blessed, it’s been a long time since he won. It’s fantastic, I’m really happy and hopefully he can go on and get another one now,” owner Neville Morgan said.
Kukeracha had finished sixth when resuming in the Gr.3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m) at Newcastle last month and a subsequent trial had him in prime order for today’s assignment over 1640 metres.
He broke well from the barrier to slot into the trail for rider James Orman and, after angling off the rail before the turn, finished solidly for the fourth win of his career.
The four-year-old is now likely to chase further stakes honours with a tilt at the Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on May 7 on the cards.
“He couldn’t have asked for a better run in third on the fence and James got the best out of him,” stable representative Brett Killion said.
“He loves it up here and ran accordingly, we’ll probably look at a race like the Hollindale now.
Kukeracha was bred by former Waikato Stud vet Dr Chris Phillips and purchased out of the Matamata nursery’s 2019 draft at Karaka on Morgan’s behalf for $130,000 by bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster.
The talented galloper is out of the A.P. Indy mare Portrait Of A Lady.
