Another Promising Son Of Night Of Thunder - Kukeracha Blows Them Away on Debut

Mark Smith - Wednesday April 15

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.Kukeracha makes winning debut  image Racing Photos

Carrying the familiar colours of Neville Morgan, the Chris Waller-trained colt was given a ground-saving rails ride by Craig Williams to be in a challenging position by the time the field wheeled for home.

Threading the needle between runners, Kukeracha charged home in the final 100 metres to defeat the Epaulette colt Milliondollarbill by a half length with the favoured Hinchinbrook colt Fixated a length back in third.

“He’s certainly impressed us to date. He has a lot of upside to him so to see him come here today and do it over a trip we feel is short of his best is definitely encouraging,” stable representative Jo Taylor told racing.com.

“Obviously he stepped away a bit slow, which is something we can improve on with maturity and racing.

“Craig was patient and snuck up along the rail then produced him at the right time. It took a little while for him to go through his gears but once he got stuck in I think he was quite impressive in the last 200m.”

“I don’t think there are any grand plans for him right now but in six months time over a mile and beyond you can expect a nice colt.  

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

A half-brother to the Group III Keith F Nolan Classic and Listed Scone Cup winner Cameo (Shamardal), Kukeracha is the eighth foal and fifth winner of the royally-bred AP Indy mare Portrait Of A Lady (USA) whose daughter Pentimento produced last weeks Warwick Farm winner Flinders (Adelaide).

Advertisement

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 who is 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) the 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.

Waikato Stud consigned a filly by Sacred Falls out of Portrait of a Lady (USA) to the 2020 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale where she made$85,000 to the bid of McKeever Bloodstock / Alexander Racing.

After foaling a Scared Falls colt last spring Portrait of a Lady (USA) was covered by Ocean Park.

Kukeracha becomes the fourth winner from the only Australian crop by the dual Group 1 winning Dubawi stallion Night Of Thunder (IRE) who left just 58 live foals from his season for Darley in 2016 after which he was destined ot to return.

He is looking a real loss after leaving the Group III MRC Blue Diamond Preview (F) winner A Beautiful Night and the Listed MRC Redoute's Choice Stakes winner River Night.

Advertisment

Race Result - Bet365 Drift Protector Mdn 1200m

Geelong Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:12.32
1
Kukeracha
- 2c Night Of Thunder (IRE) x Portrait Of A Lady (USA) (A.P. Indy (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Craig Williams 58
2
0.5
Milliondollarbill
- 2c Epaulette (AUS) x Riverina Red (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Jamie Kah 58
3
1.5
Fixated
- 2c Hinchinbrook (AUS) x Gaze (NZ) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: D & B Hayes & T Dabernig Rdr: L Nolen 58
4
2.7
Anthemic
- 2c Tavistock (NZ) x Banchee (NZ) (Oratorio (IRE))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: M J Walker 58
5
2.8
Midnight Rambler
- 2g Love Conquers All (AUS) x Enemy Dragline (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Regan Bayliss 58
6
4.1
Bignota
- 2g All Too Hard (AUS) x Fountain Joy (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Byron Cozamanis Rdr: J Maskiell 58
7
4.3
Limbering
- 2f Ferlax (NZ) x Rhandara (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Lloyd Kennewell Rdr: Zac Spain 56
8
5.3
Divine Rule
- 2f Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Sultah (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Anthony Freedman Rdr: Damien Thornton 56
9
6.3
Blue Tone
- 2g Hinchinbrook (AUS) x Prevalent (USA) (Empire Maker (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: J Noonan 58
10
7.3
Canobie Lea
- 2f Snitzel (AUS) x Black Canary (AUS) (Medaglia D'Oro (USA))
Tnr: Henry Dwyer Rdr: Ben Allen 56
11
9.0
Ellanova
- 2f Choisir (AUS) x Fusaichi Rose (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: Ted Grogan Rdr: Will Price 54.5
12
9.5
Charging Fire
- 2g Ready For Victory (AUS) x Fire Song (NZ) (Senor Pete (USA))
Tnr: Byron Cozamanis Rdr: J Bowditch 58
More Reading...
Second Winner For Ghaiyyath As Observer Scores By Five
Second on debut when just three parts of a length off the winner at Pakenham, the James Cummings’ trained Observer (Ghaiyyath) looked sensational as he made a mess of his rivals to score over 1400m in the Tile Importer Handicap on the Sandown Lakeside course.
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.
Blueblood Import - American-Bred Jillaroo Records First Win
Purchased at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Ciaron Maher, the now 4yo mare Jillaroo (USA) (Curlin) initially started her racing career in the United States but after an Australian debut second at Caulfield in early May, recorded her maiden victory at Doomben.
Wootton Bassett 2YOs on the March
Wootton Bassett’s star Northern Hemisphere two year-old Albert Einstein has been ruled out of Royal Ascot with a sprained joint that will require a few weeks off, but the red hot sire added two more talented debut winning juvenile colts at The Curragh overnight.
$1500 Weanling Becomes $525,000 Top Lot at MM National Yearling Finale
A colt by Harry Angel set a new benchmark in Australia for his sire and topped the final day of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale when selling for $525,000 to conclude a hugely successful two weeks of sales.
Pride of Jenni to Visit I Am Invincible - Match Made in Heaven
Three-time Champion Sire I Am Invincible has been confirmed as the first mating for reigning Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year Pride Of Jenni, who will head to the breeding barn this season following a phenomenal racing career.
Frosty Girl impressive on debut
The Chris Waller-trained Frosty Girl made the perfect start to her career when coming from last to land the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1300m) on debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 3
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Stakes Performed Zousain Filly Too Good At Doomben
Third in the Listed Calaway Stakes two starts back, lightly raced two-year-old Zousain filly Sweet Pretender produced the goods at Doomben, charging late to win the Mullins Lawyers QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350m).
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.