Kukeracha Loves Queensland

Mark Smith - Saturday April 23

The Chris Waller-trained Night Of Thunder (IRE) gelding Kukeracha returned to the winner’s stall for the first time since the Group 1 Queensland Derby last May in Saturday’s Listed Tails Stakes (1640m) at Doomben.

Kukeracha (image Brisbane Race Club)

Given the run of the race by James Orman, Kukeracha defeated Derulo (Spill The Beans) by a long neck, with Hail Manhattan (Manhattan Rain) a neck back in third.

“You couldn’t have asked for a better run, could you really? Third the fence, and he’s coming off some solid Sydney form,” stable representative Brett Killion said.

Advertisement

“Got here today, he gets further ground, and he loves it up here and raced accordingly.

“I remember the mile here on the way to the Derby; he ran a really good race in his first run up here last winter.

“We will look at a race like the Hollindale.”`

“James gets the best out of horses; he’s a very strong rider. It seemed to take all day, but he got there.”

Carrying the colours of stable stalwart Neville Morgan, Kukeracha advances his record to four four two from 20 starts with earnings of $730,645.

“I feel blessed.. It seems like a long while since old Kuka won, so hopefully, he can win something else up here now,” Morgan said.

Kukeracha was purchased by Mulcaster Bloodstock for $130,000 out of the Waikato Stud draft at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.

Kukeracha a $130,000 Kraka Yearling

A half-brother to the Group III Keith F Nolan Classic and Listed Scone Cup winner Cameo (Shamardal), Kukeracha is the best of five winners from eight to race out of the royally-bred AP Indy mare Portrait Of A Lady (USA). 

A half-sister to dual Group III winner Layman, who placed in the Group 1 Prix Morny and Group 1 Grand Criterium, Portrait Of A Lady (USA) is out of the Nureyev mare Laiyl, a three-quarter-sister to Pastorale the dam of Iffraaj.

Laiyl is a daughter of the Champion 3YO filly in Ireland in 1989, Alydaress (Alydar), winner of the Oaks at Epsom, who hails from the family of Desirable, Shadayid, Park Appeal and Cape Cross.

Godolphin parted with Portrait of a Lady (USA) at the 2017 Magic Millions  National Broodmare Sale, where she was knocked down to Chris Phillips for $40,000 when carrying Kukeracha.

Portrait Of a Lady (USA) has a yearling filly by Ocean Park, which was purchased by  Trilogy Racing for $130,000 from the Sledmere Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

The daughter of AP Indy was covered by Too Darn Hot (GB) last spring.

Advertisment

Race Result - Tab Tails Stakes LR 1640m

Doomben Track: Heavy(8) Time: 1:40.38
1
Kukeracha
- 4g Night Of Thunder (IRE) x Portrait Of A Lady (USA) (A.P. Indy (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: James Orman 56.5
2
0.4
Derulo
- 4g Spill The Beans (AUS) x Tiptoe (AUS) (Viscount (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Costa Rdr: Jean Van Overmeire 54
Spill The Beans
3
0.7
Hail Manhattan
- 5g Manhattan Rain (AUS) x Beggin (AUS) (Benicio (AUS))
Tnr: P & W Hulbert Rdr: Adin Thompson 54
4
0.9
Sikandarabad
- 9g Dr Fong (USA) x Sindiyma (IRE) (Kalanisi (IRE))
Tnr: Sam Kavanagh Rdr: Taylor Marshall 54
5
1.0
Djukon
- 6g Jukebox Jury (IRE) x Djumama (IRE) (Aussie Rules (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: S T Collett 54
6
1.5
Seat Of Power
- 7g Sea The Stars (IRE) x Ice Mint (USA) (Awesome Again (CAN))
Tnr: G R Duncan Rdr: Jaden Lloyd 54
7
2.7
Dashing Willoughby
- 6g Nathaniel (IRE) x Miss Dashwood (GB) (Dylan Thomas (IRE))
Tnr: Sam Kavanagh Rdr: Ms T Harrison 56.5
8
2.9
Smart Meteor
- 5g Smart Missile (AUS) x Tempting Lady (AUS) (Northern Meteor (AUS))
Tnr: Chris Munce Rdr: Ben Thompson 54
9
3.1
Sambro
- 7g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Eau De Joie (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: L V Cassidy 54
10
3.3
Profit
- 5g Dundeel (NZ) x Opportunity (NZ) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Chris Anderson Rdr: Ms S Thornton 55
11
4.6
London Banker
- 6g Tavistock (NZ) x Palos De Lago (NZ) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: K M Schweida Rdr: Kyle Wilson-Taylor 54
12
5.3
Quantum Mechanic
- 5m Deep Field (AUS) x Life In A Metro (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: J Byrne 55
13
5.4
Dealmaker
- 6g Dundeel (NZ) x Sport Chic (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: R Fradd 54
14
7.2
Pennino
- 6m Easy Rocking (AUS) x Alpha Girl (AUS) (Clang (AUS))
Tnr: D J Hansen Rdr: M R Du Plessis 54
More Reading...
Spritely 7YO Wins G3 Hyperion - 'Loved Again' Does the Trick!
Group One winner Western Empire (Iffraaj) is back in the winner's circle after a frustrating start to this campaign and is now a $3million earner!
Yulong Win G1 Met Mile at Saratoga
Yulong have made high profile bloodstock investments all over the world and while they have a US trained miler headed to Royal Ascot in Carl Spackler (IRE), they have another currently racing in North America and Raging Torrent carried their colours to victory at a rain soaked Saratoga to win the Group I Metropolitan Mile (1m).
2025 Group I Belmont Stakes - Godolphin Celebrate Victory in Triple Crown Finale
Back in May, Godolphin had a rare magical 48 hours when they won the Group I Newmarket 1000 and 2000 Guineas, plus the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks with all four of those star three year-olds scheduled to race over the last 48 hours – so how did they fare?
Vale bloodstock agent Michael Wallace
The New Zealand and international thoroughbred industries are mourning the loss of Michael Wallace, who passed away in the United States on Saturday night.
Kukeracha Strikes in Premier's Cup
Winless in twelve starts and fifty-seven weeks since capturing the Tails Stakes at Doomben, the 2021 Queensland Derby hero  Kukeracha stuck his nose out where it mattered most in Saturday's Group III Living Turf Premier's Cup (2400m) at Sandown.
Another Promising Son Of Night Of Thunder - Kukeracha Blows Them Away on Debut
Supporters of the heavily-backed Kukeracha would have the heart in the mouth when he stepped away a length behind the field but the son of Night Of Thunder (IRE) powered home in the straight to make a most impressive career debut over 1200 metres at Geelong on Wednesday.
G1 Pedigree Watch – Blueblood 3YOs Win Queensland Classics
A funny thing happened at Eagle Farm on Saturday when both the Group I BRC Queensland Derby (2400m) and Oaks (2200m) were won by 20-1 shots that had never won a stakes race, but they had two interesting things in common and that was very famous families and the Epsom Derby winner High Chaparral!
Kukeracha Captures Queensland Derby - First Group 1 winner for Night Of Thunder
With seven of the 18 runners in Saturday’s $600,000 Group 1 Moet and Chandon Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm, supporters of the Chris Waller stable were spoiled for choice.
Pencarrow Celebrate Derby Victory for Iconic Fmily
Pencarrow Stud’s foundation mare Richebourg has left a lasting impression on the Australasian thoroughbred landscape, with Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) victor Maison Louis further adding to that legacy with his Classic triumph at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Successive Stakes Wins For Flying Artie’s In Flight
With all her wins being on soft and heavy rated tracks, trainer Joe Pride has chased the rain of late with 4yo Flyng Artie mare In Flight winning the Listed BRC Bright Shadow Stakes last time out at Doomben, before scoring a late dive victory at Randwick on Saturday in the Listed ATC Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m).