Promising galloper makes underwhelming return

Nurse Kitchen was a name not heard for quite some time leading into last Saturday’s Scone meeting, in fact 399 days between runs for the Group 1 runner up. Just over 12 months ago, the lightly raced mare was staring down the barrel of a Group 1 win after finishing 2nd in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill in March 2017.

With no more than 8 starts to her name however, the 4-year-old by Savabeel is expected to go onto much bigger and better things in the near future, in fact bred by Black Caviar’s trainer Peter Moody. It did not take long for Nurse Kitchen to emerge as a conquering prospect, winning on debut at Geelong before going on to win a Group 2 at Moonee Valley just 2 starts later.

Contrary to James McDonald’s winning return to racing at Warwick Farm yesterday, Nurse Kitchen had no such luck when stepping out in the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic over the weekend, the now Kris Lees-trained galloper only managing 7th of 12 when resuming as a $21 shot.

Beaten almost 3 lengths after the lengthy spell, it seems there is plenty of room for improvement this preparation with connections hoping nurse kitchen can return to Group winning form. The mare out of Flying Monty has already won almost a quarter of a million in prize money and has won races over 1300 and 1600m.

Should Nurse Kitchen return to her best form, we may well have seen another group 1 winner go around on the weekend.