Karuta Queen Dominates With 1300 Australia Stakes Win

Karuta Queen

Karuta Queen takes out the 1300 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley

Talented three-year-old Karuta Queen has demonstrated her class by posting a dominant win in today’s Group 3 1300 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley.

The Not A Single Doubt filly won the $150,000 race by almost three lengths ahead of Miss Stellabelle and Amah Rock.

Trainer Neville Layt hit out at claims Karuta Queen would not run the distance minutes before the race jumped.

“She’s right on top of her game, I can’t get her any fitter than she is,” Layt said prior the race.

“Everyone says she can’t run 1200 (metres) but I think she’ll run it around here (Moonee Valley).”

Despite always being confident, Layt was visibly thrilled with Karuta Queen’s winning result.

“This is the race for her today,” he said.

“I thought if she gets cheap sectionals she can lead her around the turn and they won’t catch her.”

Karuta Queen finished a gallant second to Black Caviar in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes last start.

“After chasing Black Caviar (last start)… she didn’t have any of them here today,” Layt said.

“I’d rather win than run second.”

The filly will now run up the Flemington straight in the Schweppes Tonic 1000 on Melbourne Cup Day before heading to the paddock for the summer.

“Flemington is 11 days and then she can go for a good rest,” Layt said.

“It’s just an amazing ride that she’s given me.”

Owner Glen Williams had never expected to reach such heights with Karuta Queen when he purchased her for just $30,000 at the 2010 Gold Coast Magic Millions.

“We thought she’d maybe be a nice country horse or maybe a Canterbury mid-weeker and look what she’s doing now,” Williams said.

“She’s come back in fantastic order and there’s a race there on Melbourne Cup Day providing she pulls up well from this race.”

Jockey Tommy Berry expects Karuta Queen to be even better come her next test in 11 days’ time.

“Everyone keeps saying she won’t run 1200… but I knew she’d do it,” Berry said.

“She’s my little superstar.

“Moonee Valley isn’t her track… so looking forward to Flemington Melbourne Cup Day.

“She’s no Black Caviar but she’s a super filly to me.”

Karuta Queen has now won six of her 11 race starts and has accrued more than $1.65 million in prize money.

Finish No. Horse Jockey Trainer Weight Margin
1st 8 KARUTA QUEEN(7) Tommy Berry Neville Layt 55.0 1-10.60
2nd 2 MISS STELLABELLE(3) Damien Oliver Mark Kavanagh 56.0 2.8L
3rd 1 AMAH ROCK(5) Danny Nikolic Peter Morgan 57.0 3.2L
4th 5 MOST HUSBANDS(2) Dwayne Dunn Darren Weir 55.5 3.7L
5th 7 RED RAIN(8) James Winks Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra 55.5 5.4L
6th 6 BECKON(1) Luke Nolen Peter G Moody 55.5 5.5L
7th 9 GLISSADE(4) Kerrin McEvoy Peter Snowden 53.5 7.5L
8th 4 VATICAN(6) Craig Williams Byron Cozamanis 55.5 10.8L
Src 3 GRAND BRITANNIA Craig Newitt Robbie Laing

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