Classy filly Earthquake has returned to winning form on Caulfield Guineas Day this afternoon, displaying a strong kick in the final straight of the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) to find the line a comfortable length in the clear.
Earthquake has returned to the winner’s circle in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Jumping from the gates well, the Exceed And Excel filly immediately took up an ideal racing position on the heels of early leader Tawteen, who set a reasonable tempo over the back straight and rounding the bend.
Finding the final straight with a clear racing line, Earthquake allowed Tawteen a start of around a length before producing a superior turn of foot over the last 200m; More Radiant running on for third.
Regular jockey Kerrin McEvoy delivered an exceptional ride on Earthquake in the 2014 Thoroughbred Club Stakes but revealed it was not all smooth sailing over the 1200m running distance.
“The form from last time looks pretty good now with the First Seal win,” McEvoy said immediately after the race.
“She’s back to 1200, we all think she’s better this way going and it’s nice to see her do that with 59kgs today.
“I was slightly worried once we passed the 600 but once she straightened up and she changed over onto her fresh leg I always had the leader beaten and she had the motor to hold the rest of them off.”
Trainer John O’Shea was pleased with Earthquake’s all-round performance in the 2014 Thoroughbred Club Stakes and revealed the featured Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) on October 14th may figure as the next point of call.
“It was just a matter of getting her back into the game; it’s good for the team to put a lot of work into her and a great ride from Kerrin,” O’Shea said.
“Just nice to get her back in the winner’s circle again, she seems to have an affiliation with Caulfield so going forward it’s something we’ll look at.
“She met More Radiant at level weights last time and she was very competitive against her so they had to give her a bunch of weight today and we’ve still been able to beat her, it’s a good effort.
“We might give consideration to running the Manikato – it’s something the team has discussed along the way. I’ll have a chat to Kerrin, I haven’t had a chance to speak to him yet but I think it’s open to a three-year-old with no weight and with her sort of record to be competitive in a race of that nature.”
The standout performer of the two-year-old autumn season, Earthquake appeared to be lacking top gear when finishing second in both the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m) and Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) first-up this time, but appears to be back on track following this afternoon’s triumph.
