Unusual Culture (NZ) (Unusual Suspect) continued her march through the grades after the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained mare scored her fourth win of the preparation at Flemington on Saturday when taking out the David Bourke (1620m).
The Kiwi import was sent out an $8 chance after drawing out (9) but ended up in a perfect one-one spot before letting down powerfully in the straight, holding off favourite Brayden Star (Twilight Son) ($3) to prevail by three-quarters of a length.
Stable representative Jack Turnbull was delighted with the professional performance and excellent ride from jockey Carleen Hefel.
“It was text book. She rode it an absolute pearler,” Turnbull said.
“There was good speed, she followed Mick (Price) and Michael Kent Jr’s horse (French Emperor) into the race as long as she could.
“She has a really nice turn of foot when she’s saved and she was able to show that today.”
Turnbull said there were no concrete plans for the daughter of Unusual Suspect, but the Winter Championships Final would be considered.
“I’ll have a discussion with Ciaron, David and Rhys Simon,” he said.
“But naturally it looks a nice race if she comes through in good order.”
Hefel said she was prepared for everything to go wrong from the tough gate, but was pleasantly surprised with how things panned out.
“I was just saying to Jack Turnbull, from that gate it could either go horribly wrong or it’s going to go perfect, and everything just worked out exactly how we wanted it,” Hefel said.
“She’s a lovely mare, does everything right, and today was the best she’s felt for me.”
Unusual Culture was bred by Nigel and Adaire Auret, who also stand her sire Unusual Suspect at their Letham Stud on the outskirts of Wanganui.
Initially raced by the Aurets and trained by their son Fraser, Unusual Culture had three starts in New Zealand.
She won by four lengths on debut at Otaki in November 2021 before placing in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) and Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m). Those performances led to her being privately purchased by prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir.
The four-year-old mare has now won five of her 15 starts, with a further six placings and has earned just shy of A$300,000 in prizemoney.