Promising three-year-old Kuro led all the way to record his third straight victory in the 2014 Heritage Handicap at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
Kuro was too good for the rest of the field in the 2014 Heritage Handicap at Royal Randwick this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart
Blake Shinn took up the running on Kuro in the early stages of the race and the Denman colt showed an impressive acceleration when asked for an extra effort to score a comfortable victory from Echo Gal and Klammer.
Shinn was having his first race ride on Kuro, replacing the suspended Hugh Bowman, and the leading hoop was able to dictate the pace on the three-year-old, but had a bit of trouble when his saddle slipped in the final stages of the race.
“He wasn’t too bad,” Shinn said.
“He was pretty good and I think that he is just a natural free rolling sprinter.
“I just let him be happy, he cruised in front, got into a strong cruising speed, had the rest chasing and was pretty dynamic.
“It was a big win.
“He has a big free-striding action and I think that he is a very promising horse for the future.”
Kuro started his 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with two strong wins in lower grades and trainer Joseph Pride was delighted that the talented colt had been able to take the step-up to Listed level in the Heritage Handicap.
Pride revealed that he is considering taking Kuro to Melbourne for the rest of the spring, but may send the Heritage Handicap winner to the spelling paddock before bringing him back for a 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign.
“He has taken a big step today,” Pride said.
“I have been really happy with him and it was a big test for him today, but he has come through with flying colours.
“It has been a fantastic start to the preparation and Jason and I will decide what we do with him now.
“We might head to Melbourne, but he is only going to be better in the autumn, so we might put him aside.
“It would has been nice to get Rock Sturdy as well, but we have some more later on.”
Group 1 winner Laser Hawk will represent Pride in the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) and Terravista is a clear favourite in betting for the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m).
