The Group 1 Thousand Guineas is the major campaign target for Roomooz, who returned to the races for a smart win over a classy field in the Johnnie Walker Plate (1200m) at The Valley this afternoon.

Roomooz beat Tulip on the line to win the Johnnie Walker Plate at The Valley this afternoon. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Charged with overcoming the likes of Tulip, Limestone and Garrard in the 1200m sprint, Roomooz jumped from the gates well and was settled in an ideal position on the heels of early leaders True Excelsior and Cherief’s Choice.

Experiencing a carefree run in transit, jockey Luke Curry held a position on the rails leading into the final straight and kicked two lengths clear of the chasing pack with 200m to travel; holding on to the line to beat a fast-finishing Tulip by the flare of her nostrils.

Trainer Tony McEvoy was understandably thrilled with the Fastnet Rock filly’s ability to beat the talented Johnnie Walker Plate field first-up and believes that she will only improve with racing, on her way towards the 2017 Thousand Guineas.

“She’s faster than most of my others,” McEvoy said after the race.

“I’ve had a really high regard for her for a long time and I think what I was asking her to do in the autumn was probably a touch soon, but when they’ve got such ability, you press on if they’re sound and well.

“I really thought she’d improved tremendously through her break and she got a bit lost in front today, but the form lines are extremely strong, that was a cracking fillies’ race and I’m really proud of her.

“Luke and I had a plan, she’s very fresh this filly and I didn’t want him to be back and fighting her when the speed looked a bit unsure.

“I said to bounce and be positive and trust her, and he rode her superbly.

“I think she’ll get better (at a mile). We’ll go to the Atlantic Jewel here now in a couple of weeks and then probably into the Guineas Prelude and then into the Thousand Guineas.”

Currie delivered a perfectly summed-up ride aboard the talented filly and also believes that she will only improve with the run under her belt.

“She’s going really well,”

“She’s done everything right at the track and we expected her to be pretty hard to beat today and she proved that.

“She will be much better out to further, but it’s great to see her run so well over the shorter trip first-up.”

Roomooz is currently available at 2017 Thousand Guineas odds of $17 at Ladbrokes.com.au