Kovalica (NZ) Makes Triumphant Return to Queensland

Five months after venturing north to Queensland to capture the Group Three Grand Prix (2100m), Karaka graduate Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park) returned to the Sunshine State on Saturday and did something even more special in the A$350,000 Group Two Sky Racing Queensland Guineas (1600m).

An emerging star for champion Sydney-based trainer Chris Waller, Kovalica was a $110,000 purchase by Mulcaster Bloodstock from Book 1 of Karaka 2021. His seven-start career has now produced five wins and a placing, banking a total of A$481,750.

Everyone expected Kovalica to be a force to be reckoned with during the Queensland winter carnival – particularly after a flashing finish into third when he resumed in the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) at Randwick on April 8. He was a hot favourite when the gates opened for Saturday’s race, but his chances seemed to steadily decrease from that point on.

After initially landing in fifth spot for leading jockey Nash Rawiller, Kovalica drifted backwards and soon found himself in ninth and trapped three wide. Turning for home, he was giving the leaders a huge start in a strung-out field, and as Rawiller asked him to quicken, it looked like he had too much to do and lacked the finishing firepower to do it.

But then Kovalica went into overdrive, roaring home over the top of Perfect Thought (So You Think) to score a stunning win.

For Waller’s stable representative Brett Killion, the win was a perfect rehearsal for the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) on May 27.

“Good horses seem to overcome difficulties,” Killion said. “He is a horse on the way up and the grand final is in four weeks.

“We were aware of that and at the mile today he might not have had quite the dash that he did first-up. Before the race, I don’t know who was more laid-back, Nash or the horse. They both got out there and it was game on. He was too good.

“He is likely to go home and lick the bin. He just slops around the track and nothing fazes him.”

Rawiller was also complimentary of the gelding, who he believes will be suited over further ground.

“I almost got into one off the fence, but once I realised I couldn’t get in, I looked up and had a look around and thought, ‘I’m in the perfect spot here’,” Rawiller said.

“He just got into a beautiful rhythm and travelled really well, and the way the track has been racing, it was going to help him home.

“When I went for him with 100 metres to go, he sort of thought there was still another lap in there. He is a very nice horse.

“I was confident that my bloke had Perfect Thought’s measure, and he is going to get better over further.”

Kovalica was bred by Nearco Stud and is by Ocean Park (NZ) out of Vitesse (NZ) (Makfi), a half-sister to three-time Australian Group One winner (The) Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux). This family also produced last week’s Group Three Championship Stakes winner Cheval D’Or (NZ) (Almanzor), who is a half-sister to Vitesse and The Bostonian.

Vendor	Curraghmore
Purchaser	Mulcaster Bloodstock (Auckland)
Breeding	Ocean Park – Vitesse
Sale	Lot 205, Karaka 2021 Book 1, $110,000
Bred by	Nearco Stud Limited

 

Race Image:Ross Stevenson & Grant Peters Photography