Following two dominant wins at mid week level since returning from a spell our 3 year old filly KIKU displayed her brilliant turn of foot to win the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes over 1,600 metres at Royal Randwick on Day 1 of The Championships. In doing so the daughter of red hot stallion Zoustar stamped herself as a likely Star of the future. Not only is KIKU a filly “going places” but she is also a full sister to recent Flemington Group 1 Newmarket winner Zoutori.

Whilst a specific next race target for our filly is yet to be confirmed, it is possible that she could travel interstate in coming weeks to compete at Group level again before a spell to prepare for the spring, where a race like the Epsom could most likely be high on her agenda. Tommy Berry was very complimentary of KIKU on Saturday stating “that win was exceptional…she jumped from the widest barrier then sat 3 wide the trip and with her acceleration she put them away in a big hurry…she’s very good”.

KIKU was recommended to us by Brett Howard from Randwick Bloodstock at the 2019 Magic Millions yearling sale in similar fashion to another of his favourites at the same sale several years earlier when he highlighted a filly which became Group 1 winner Invincibella. KIKU looks more than capable of reaching a very high level of competition and more Group wins look inevitable as the filly continues to mature. Our thanks as always to Chris and his team for their great work with our horses.

Congratulations to the winning KIKU owners Ray Aurisch, Helen Aurisch, Leon Mugavin, Bulliman Racing (Manager: Scott Bulliman), Boeara Holdings (Manager: Denise Dunphy), Nick Vass Bloodstock (Manager: Nick Vass), Amy Vass, McLeish Family Racing (Manager: David McLeish), Brent Hudson, Judy Hudson, Bangaloe Stud (Manager: Julia Ritchie), Paramount Racing (Manager: Kathryn Wood), Chris Olliver.

Winning Photograph Courtesy of Bradley Photographers