Kukeracha (NZ) Lands Another Queensland Prize

A yearly visit to the Queensland Winter Carnival brings the very best out of Karaka graduate Kukeracha (NZ) (Night Of Thunder), who once again played a starring role in the Sunshine State on Saturday.

Victory in the A$200,000 Group Three Living Turf Premier’s Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm took Kukeracha’s career earnings past A$1m. The gelding, who was bought for $130,000 from Karaka 2019, has now had 33 starts for five wins and nine placings.

Many of Kukeracha’s career highlights have come in Queensland, headed by his Group One triumph in the 2021 Queensland Derby (2400m). He has also picked up additional black-type successes in the Premier’s Cup and the Listed Tails Stakes (1640m), along with placings in the Group Two Hollindale Stakes (1800m), Group Two Queensland Guineas (1600m) and Group Three Rough Habit Plate (2000m).

Kukeracha had to show all of his fighting qualities to win Saturday’s Premier’s Cup. Presented at the top of the straight by jockey James McDonald, he quickly moved up on the outside of Group One Epsom Derby (2400m) winner Serpentine (Galileo), and that pair were then joined by the strong-finishing Kalapour (War Command).

In a desperate three-way battle through the final 150 metres, it was Kukeracha who was able to keep lifting, gain a slight advantage and snatch a narrow victory at the finish line.

“He likes Eagle Farm, and he’s a fighter too,” McDonald said. “When that one joined him on the outside (Kalapour), it felt like he was always going to get there. Even though it was a short margin, he’s a tough horse.”

Kukeracha is trained by Chris Waller for prominent owner Neville Morgan.

“He was probably the omen bet, being a Derby winner on this day a couple of years back,” Waller said. “He found form up here last year as well, so he certainly loves it here. It was a great ride from James, and just a nice, sentimental win.”