Karuta Queen Thrives Ahead Of Trial

Monday, 21 February 2011 04:45

Unbeaten filly Karuta Queen has trainer Neville Layt in awe of her improvement since her win in last month's Magic Millions.

Layt, who is preparing Karuta Queen for a barrier trial at Canberra on Sunday, says the filly thrived in her short break.

"She had about three weeks off but I can say that she is as hard as a rock already," the Queanbeyan trainer said.

"We kept her on the walker during her time out and she didn't let down completely.

"If anything I think she is better than before she won the Magic Millions. The improvement has been remarkable."

Karuta Queen will contest a 900-metre heat at Thoroughbred Park on Sunday with Layt confirming her Sydney-based race jockey Tommy Berry will be in the saddle.

Layt said it was almost certain the Golden Slipper second favourite would resume in Sydney on March 5 rather than closer to home in the Black Opal Stakes at Canberra the following day.

"My preference is the Sweet Embrace Stakes," he said.

"It will be run at Warwick Farm which is a track which will suit her and she'll be racing the fillies at level weights.

"If she ran in the Black Opal she would have to carry the same weight as the colts."

There is also the attraction of the Sweet Embrace Stakes winner earning exemption from the Golden Slipper ballot.

Although Karuta Queen has banked more than $1.4 million in stakes, her Magic Millions earnings aren't counted in the Golden Slipper order of entry and a win in the Group Three will confirm her place in the world's richest race for two-year-olds.

Karuta Queen has been the firm $9 second favourite behind Sepoy ($5) to win the $3.5 million Golden Slipper on April 2 since the release of markets.

Her lofty rating is thoroughly justified, says the trainer.

"I've been watching all the others and her times have been as good as theirs," Layt said.

"I'm not really worried about anything I've seen so far. It's been good just sitting back and watching the others go around."

Karuta Queen is unbeaten in four starts and passed a crucial 1200-metre test with her emphatic Magic Millions Classic win over Combat Kitty and Schiffer on a rain-affected track at the Gold Coast.