Hurry Curry has benefited from an extended trip to achieve the crucial ‘Black Type’ for her future breeding career, securing a narrow victory at Mornington.
The Danny O’Brien-trained mare claimed the Listed R M Ansett Classic (2400m) on Saturday, adding to her prior Stakes level placing in the Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville back in March.
Guided by jockey Lachlan Neindorf, Hurry Curry, a $14 chance, won by a neck over Sunset Park ($5.50), with Beach Pad ($7.50) finishing a half-length back in third.
Jack Howard, representing the O’Brien stable, highlighted the significance of Saturday’s win for the Ocean Park filly.
‘She’s had a really solid career without getting that ‘Black Type’ win, so it’s good to tick that box for Mark Chittick and Waikato Stud,’ Howard told Racing.com.
‘It was a really good ride by Lachie. When they went past the post the first time, I think it was Shane Jackson’s horse (Beach Pad) rolled out and he kicked up underneath which gave us the spot behind the leader and that was probably the pivotal move in the end.’
Hurry Curry was making her third start of the campaign, having been rested after her third-place finish in Adelaide. Her initial two runs this preparation were over distances considered unsuitable, but importantly, she was carrying a reduced weight.
‘We do think she got harshly penalised for that run in the Adelaide Cup with her rating and in her first couple of runs we were a bit hamstrung with where to run her,’ Howard explained. ‘She wasn’t dropping points and was staying where she was, but the fact we could get her back to 54 kilos and up to 2400 metres, it was something we were looking for.’
The O’Brien stable previously won the Ansett Classic with Saracen Knight in 2022, who then went on to win the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield at his subsequent start.
Howard indicated uncertainty regarding Hurry Curry’s immediate future plans but suggested the Australian Heritage Cup (2800m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day could be a potential target.
‘We did win this race with Saracen Knight a few years ago and it ended up he leapfrogged into another win,’ Howard remarked. ‘It’s great to get that ‘Black Type’ win (with this mare), so its job done there and we’ll assess what comes up next. There is the 2800-metre race on Cup Day that she may head to, but we’ll leave that up to Danny who will make the decision about her going forward.’
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