Premiership trainer Peter Moody is uncertain what to expect from new stable acquisition Karuta Queen when he saddles her up for the first time in the Listed $120,000 ATA/Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m) at Flemington tomorrow.
Karuta Queen at her best winning at Moonee Valley. Photo by Taron Clarke.
The former top two year old is having her first start for almost twelve months and Moody said that it has taken some time to work out the four year old.
“When you have a horse for the first time you’re just not sure about them,” Moody said.
“She’s not a sparkling worker by any means at home.”
Karuta Queen was the glamour filly in her two year old season and went to the Gold Coast undefeated before taking out the 2011 $2m BMW Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m).
Karuta Queen showed all her blistering speed to win the 2011 Group 3 $150,000 1300 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley but in her last preparation failed to show her customary speed and lost all form.
And one of her best efforts was when second to Moody’s champion mare Black Caviar in the 2011 Group 2 $200,000 Schweppes Schillaci Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield.
Moody admits that he hasn’t found out much about Karuta Queen on the tracks but she did win a recent trial.
“She was pressured in a trial the other morning and she found and won it nicely,” Moody said.
Karuta Queen is no stranger down the Flemington straight when she led them up in the 2011 $100,000 Schweppes Tonic 1000 (1000m) at Flemington before being run down by African Pulse.
Moody will also saddle up topweight Ready To Rip who is also having his first run back from a spell.
Ready To Rip was tested at Group 1 level in the Spring but was well beaten when twelfth to Mental in the Group 1 $1m Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The More Than Ready five year old also has experience down the Flemington straight with a win over 1200m during the winter.
Mick Price’s speedy filly Isabella Snowflake is the early favourite for the Bob Hoysted at $3.60 after a last start Moonee Valley win over 1000m in November with Ready To Rip and Karuta Queen sharing the second line of betting at $5.50.
