Ridgeport filly Kuroyanagi bounced back after a break with a resounding victory in the $150,000 Thoroughbred Club Of Australia Plate (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Kuroyanagi was placed in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes over the same course and distance in February but was a well-beaten favourite when resuming the G3 Quezette Stakes (1100) in August. She responded after being given a gem of ride by Blake Shinn for trainers Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea and Ridgeport owner Santo Guagliardo.
“She got into a good spot behind the speed and we got out at the right time,” Shinn reported. “It’s nice to see her get that first win since her Blue Diamond campaign. She’s a lovely filly and it’s great to win in these colours for Santo, Will and Nicky.”
Kuroyanagi (3f Written Tycoon – Tetsuko by I Am Invincible) cost $390,000 at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale and Saturday’s win sent her earnings through $396,000 with more to come at the Melbourne spring carnival.
Her dam was a precocious Group 2-placed juvenile in the Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) at Randwick and second-dam Magdalena (Snaadee) won a LR Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) at Ascot.
“She’s shown us so much and we’ve always believed in her,” O’Shea said. “It didn’t go well last time so it’s good to get her back on track. We gave her a good break after the Quezette Stakes and she looked fantastic today. We might set her for the Thousand Guineas even though she’s bred to be very fast.”
The $1.5 million G1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) is scheduled for November 16 at Caulfield and she’s also been nominated for several feature races at Perth’s Pinnacles.
Ridgeport Farm residents Rommel and Ducimus also posted two new maiden winners closer to home last week. Rise to Glory (Rommel) broke through at Northam for Gold Front Thoroughbreds and Boussac (Ducimus) scored at Bunbury for trainer Meryl Hayley.
Rommel (Commands) stands for $6,600 alongside Ducimus (Snitzel) at $5,500. Both fees (inc GST). For bookings or more information, contact Marge Ojapold (0497 478 231), Grant Burns (0410 683 470), Steve Hoare (0409 987 970).