It was another weekend of great results from Curraghmore graduates, showing consistency is an integral part of the farm’s success.
The headline act was Distinctive Darci (Darci Brahma) who on Friday night charged home late to take out the Gr.2 Merlion Trophy (1200m) in a thrilling finish at the Kranji track in Singapore.
Trainer Mark Walker’s decision to add blinker-pacifiers to the four-year-old gelding is reaping benefits with the Curraghmore graduate sporting a three from three record following the gear addition.
Bred by Nearco Stud, Distinctive Darci was purchased by Te Akau Racing for $100,000 from Curraghmore's 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock draft.
The family gained a further black type update when Kuro (Denman), also out of Distinctive Lass making him a half-brother to Distinctive Darci, resumed in Saturday’s Listed
Hawkesbury Gold Rush Handicap (1100m) running third.
It was a great effort from six-year-old and pleasing to see him return to some of the form that has seen him Group One placed in the past.
Kuro, also bred by Nearco Stud, was purchased by Champion Thoroughbreds for $170,000 from Curraghmore’s 2013 Premier New Zealand Bloodstock.
With Lisdoonvarna scratched from the Hawkesbury Guineas it was up to Land Grant (High Chaparral) to add to the winning tally and deliver he did.
Sold through the same draft as Kuro, Land Grant was a three time winner in Australia before being exported to Hong Kong.
It was pleasing to seem him to return to winning form and he took out the mile race at Sha Tin by four lengths.
In other news last-start Gr,3 Auraria Stakes (1800m) placegetter Belle Du Nord will return to New Zealand for a spell instead of tackling Saturday's Gr.1 Schweppes Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville.
