Karuta Queen out of luck in Rubiton

Short priced favourite Karuta Queen blew her chances in the Group 3 $125,000 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield today when she bungled the start.

The Sydney filly was last to leave the barriers and instead of dictating the race from the front, Tommy Berry was lamenting at the tail of the field.

Karuta Queen lost concentration in the stalls when noted barrier rogue Here De Angels, who was drawn next to her, played up and was withdrawn from the race.

The David Hayes trained Eagle Falls ($21) returned to winning form to storm home over the top of the early leader First Command to win by almost a length with Hot Spin battling on for third.

“He was sick last prep and we were playing catch up and this time we gave him a good spell. He is a brilliant track worker and I thought if he reproduced his track work he would go very close today,” Hayes said.

Eagle Falls will now run in the Group 1 $400,000 Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield in two weeks and then into the Group 1 $1m Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 10.

Hayes said the that they have been able to train the six year old out of the paddock and that has been the key to bringing him back to winning form.

After missing the start Berry moved Karuta Queen ($2.70 fav) to just behind the leading division coming to the home turn but then found himself in a traffic jam and unable to get clear until well into the straight to finish fourth.

The Neville Layt trained filly’s run should be forgotten when she lines up in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 25.

 

 

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.