The Black Caviar difference meant everything for flying filly Karuta Queen at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
At her previous run, Karuta Queen had led the champion sprinter until 300m from the finish at Caulfield two weeks ago, but was totally overpowered in the run to the line.
Karuta Queen winning the 1300 Australia Stakes (3yo Set Weights (Group 3) at Moonee Valley - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
But in the Group Three 1300 Australia Stakes (1200m) at the Valley Karuta Queen proved herself one of the best sprinting fillies of her age, running away to win by 2-3/4 lengths.
For Queanbeyan trainer Neville Layt the win was a tribute to his training skills.
“She hasn’t taken a backward step at any stage,” Layt said.
“We galloped her the other day and she flew and she did the same out there today.”
Tommy Berry had no trouble getting Karuta Queen to the lead and a lot less trouble keeping it than he did at Caulfield against Black Caviar.
“It was hard to believe how easily Black Caviar went past us the other day,” Berry said.
“But she (Karuta Queen) showed she’s still pretty good.”
Having sampled the atmosphere of Cox Plate day, Layt now plans to take Karuta Queen to Flemington for the biggest day on the Australian turf calendar.
The trainer said the filly’s next run would be in the Schweppes 1000 (1000m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day.
“That’ll be it for her this time in, I reckon it’ll be an ideal race,” he said.
Karuta Queen will then be aimed at the rich Magic Millions meeting at the Gold Coast in January.
She had her biggest pay day so far when she won this year’s $2 million Magic Millions Classic.
AAP TURF
