Unusual Culture has earned a ticket to the Listed Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Flemington on July 1 with a classy victory on Saturday.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace mare, a winner of four of her past six starts, was too strong for favourite Brayden Star, while backmarker Beehunter charged into third after a slow start.
Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said the Winter Championship Final looked a nice race for the mare.
“I think so, yes, I’ll have a discussion with Ciaron and David and (racing manager) Reece (Murphy), naturally it looks a nice race if she comes through it in good order,” Turnbull said.
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Turnbull lauded the ride from apprentice jockey Carleen Hefel, who sealed a double on the card after a victory earlier aboard the Peter Moody-trained Sigh.
“She rode it an absolute pearler,” Turnbull said.
“She followed Mick (Price) and Michael Kent Jr’s horse (French Emperor) into the race as long as she could, she (Unusual Culture) has a really nice turn of foot when saved and she showed that today.”
Carleen Hefel landed a double at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images
Unusual Culture has thrived on racing, eight times the past six months with runs spaced, and given the short turnaround to the spring could stay in work beyond the Finals Day at Flemington.
“We’re at an awkward time now to spell, if we felt like there was a race for her to target she could have a little breather, keep in work but not actually be under saddle and get her to the doorstep of spring,” Turnbull said.
Unusual Culture, an 85 rater going into Saturday’s race, would need an uplift of about 10-15 points to get into the better races in the spring.
“She’s a mare with a lot of upside, she’s versatile and likes any type of ground,” Turnbull said
“The future is bright.”
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
RAIN LORD gave sire Lord Of The Sky, one of the fastest horses of his generation, a first city winner.
The electric Peter and Paul Snowden-trained gelding, sent out $8 third favourite, stalked the speed in the Country Racing Victoria Handicap (1000m) on Saturday and took over inside the last 100m.
Leader BOONIE stuck on boldly for second with $41 bolter ROCK PROPHET a gallant third.
Favourite PROPICE disappointed, beaten four lengths, on the dry deck.
SIGH OF RELIEF
SIGH banked a fifth win from seven starts with a tough effort in the 2023 Country Achiever Wayne Nichols (1100m) over seasoned sprinter GENERAL BEAU.
Trainer Peter Moody signalled Sigh could return to Flemington in a fortnight for the Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final (1200m) or Bletchingly Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield a week later.
“It did worry me when General Beau stuck on, he’s a good tough old horse, a seasoned stakes performer, the weight was the difference in the end,” Moody said.
“That will toughen her up a little, always like to see her down the outside she’s a little bit shy and struggles with horses around her.
“I think she’s got stakes quality ability, whether it’s two weeks or three weeks … it’s an opportunity.”
ZAC DE BOSS raced nearest the outside fence but could do no better than third from PIONEER RIVER.
Sigh holds off General Beau at Flemington. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images
HAPPY HURDLER
PORT GUILLAUME stunned punters and co-trainer JD Hayes alike on Saturday with victory in the Murray Cox Handicap (2540m) as a $26 outsider.
The race was supposed to be a “fitness builder” for another assignment over fences but the strength of the win could force a change of plans.
“He’s been going over the hurdles and he was once upon a time a very talented import,” Hayes said.
“It’s a testament to putting him over the jumps, it got him reinvigorated again and he was aided by a 10 out of 10 ride.”
Port Guillaume sealed a double for jockey Harry Coffey on VRC Country Race Day.
“He’s a pretty special horse, I got to get my first Melbourne Cup ride on him and even though he went terrible it’s good to get a win on him today,” Coffey said.
ROLLS, who won the Warrnambool Cup three starts back, appreciated a light weight on Saturday to run second from TEEWATERS.
Favourite SHAIYHAR settled last and never threatened.
Jockey Dean Yendall indicated the imported gelding, a last start Flemington winner, raced flat.