Layt’s Queen Working Towards Reclaiming the Throne

June 7, 2011

Layt’s Queen Working Towards Reclaiming the Throne

Fairy-tale filly Karuta Queen is back in work for her trainer Neville Layt in Canberra, Layt confident the daughter of Not A Single Doubt can resume in the spring as a three-year-old to watch out for.

Karuta Queen

Karuta Queen has the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes assigned as her first-up run in August

Layt was thrown into the centre of the racing scene after his $30,000 bargain buy filly Kartua Queen enjoyed a stunning start to her career, winning her opening four races in emphatic style.

After back-to-back wins in Sydney last October, she stormed into the big time with an easy two and a half length victory in the Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1000m).

The run and her impressive record saw Kartua Queen start the favourite in January’s $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) on the Gold Coast and the filly saluted for the punters with another smart three length win this time over Combat Kitty.

During a break, Kartua Queen sizzled in a barrier trial back in Canberra blowing her rivals away by over 13 lengths and setting herself up as the two-year-old to beat in the upcoming autumn features.

However, upon resuming the Queen failed to sparkle at her first-up start when beaten in a shock upset by You’re Canny in the Listed Black Opal Stakes (1200m) in mid March.

Forgotten by the punters, Layt continued on with Karuta Queen accepting her for the prestigious $3.5 million Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) in April.

Going out as a $10 shot, Kartua Queen never featured in the world’s richest juveniles feature, failing to come within six lengths when 10th to Peter Snowden’s winner Sepoy.

Still, it was not a bad season for Layt with his Queen amassing an incredible $1.45 million in prize money over her six starts.

Having been enjoying a break in the paddock since her Slipper letdown, Karuta Queen has now returned to Layt’s Queanbeyan stables in preparation for a stakes return and her trainer is thrilled with her progress and condition.

“She came back in last week and she has done a treat,” Layt said.

“She has thickened right up.

“She hasn’t grown much and she’s a bit hairy still, but that’s just because of the time of year.”

So confident of her ability, Layt is setting Karuta Queen up in a Group race assignment first-up.

“She had seven weeks in the paddock and now we’ll get her read for the San Domenico Stakes,” he said.

The $125,000 Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) is scheduled to run at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday August 13 and serves as the perfect preparatory run for the season’s most promising three-year-olds.

“We’ll build her up slowly and she’ll probably trial in about six weeks and we’ll see where we are at,” Layt said.

“She has come back terrific.

“She needed a good spell and she’s had that.”

Layt has also made the announcement that he will not restrict Karuta Queen’s spring campaign to Melbourne and that she will also target a number of races during the Sydney Autumn Carnival.

He is tipping a stellar spring from Karuta Queen, Layt excited to see her come on a year older and said he was happy to run a line right through her Golden Slipper run.

“She can improve out of sight as a three-year-old,” he said.

“Just remember she was over the top when the Golden Slipper was run and she just wasn’t 100 per cent in the Black Opal.

“She’ll be 100 per cent from this time in.

“She looks good and she’s bright and everything like that.”

Yet to decide on a solid campaign or clarify where Karuta Queen would go following the San Domenico, one thing Layt is sure of is that his ace asset will retain her star status.

“Whichever way I go they’re all Group races and that’s where she’s heading, to Sydney (and) or Melbourne, whatever races suit her,” he said.

“Anything up to 1000 or 1100 metres they will know she is there in any race she competes in.”

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapat...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: L...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse extended her record to eight victories in the 2024...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winne...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Veight joined an elite list of three-year-olds to beat home the older horses...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results:...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Chris Waller’s VRC Derby winner from the spring, Riff Rocket, now has the...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Vi...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Via Sistina Too Good Debuting for Waller

Yu Long Investments lucrative European purchase, the now Chris Waller-trained...

Race Results

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapateo Upsets Sunshine In Paris

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Imperatriz Defends Title in 2024 William Reid Stakes

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Race Previews

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off

Fields & Form

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off