The new season stakes racing stepped up a notch on the weekend with several Curraghmore graduates resuming at black type level.
While everyone was watching the amazing Winx in the Group One race named in her honour at Randwick, Curraghmore had an eye on Unforgotten (Fastnet Rock).
The Group One winner was having her first run back since winning the Australian Oaks (2400m) in March and did not disappoint. The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old mare, who was purchased for $360,000 from Curraghmore's 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock draft, finished strong to the line for sixth and 3.8 lengths of Winx.
The Lindsay Park Racing-trained Long Leaf (Fastnet Rock) resumed in the Gr.3 Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield. He put in an enormous run from a wide barrier to fly home for second just behind race favourite Tony Nicconi.
Purchased for $750,000 from Curraghmore's 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock draft, Long Leaf is a possible contender for the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas.
Also running at Caulfield in the Gr.2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) was Mighty Boss (Not A Single Doubt) who never really got into the race, perhaps an indication of a lack of fitness at this stage of his preparation.
Each performance was an indication of good things to come as the season progresses and the team at Curraghmore watch with anticipation going forward.
