A well-judged front-running ride by Peter Robl on Reply Churlish has given the mare her first metropolitan win at Rosehill and sparked ambitions of stakes success.
The Australian Turf Club Handicap marked the fourth consecutive win for Reply Churlish and continued trainer Steve Englebrecht’s best season for some time.
Reply Churlish - Photo by Steve Hart
Englebrecht said the 1800m of Saturday’s race was probably out of the mare’s comfort zone and the $2.60 favourite held on to win by a short half-head from Forever Crazy ($9).
“Peter and I discussed it before the race and I told him to make them run it,” Englebrecht said.
“It was great to see her step up to Saturday company and give us options for the autumn and the winter.
“And she won’t be stretching past a mile (1600m) for a while.
“She only just got there but a head is as good as a furlong.”
Englebrecht said Reply Churlish was unlikely to tackle races such as the Group One Queen of the Turf in Sydney and he was looking more towards the Brisbane winter.
“There are some nice mares’ race in Sydney at black-type level and a great series of races in Brisbane heading to the Tatt’s Tiara,” he said.
“And I don’t think she will have any problems with the wet tracks they can get up there.
“It’s been a good season so far. To get a horse to win four in a row is something. I’m lucky to get one consecutive win.”
