Exceed And Excel mare Curtana has returned to the winner’s list after a 12-month absence with an impressive win in Saturday’s $100,000 Listed Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington.

 



Chris Symons celebrates as Curtana wins the Straight Six, picture Turfpress

 

Curtana last tasted success when a strong winner on heavy ground at Caulfield as a three-year-old. The mare went winless in 11 subsequent starts as her trainer Peter Moody tried Curtana as a top-grade sprinter without success.
Curtana gave an indication she was ready to win with her sound fourth at Caulfield last start. Jockey Chris Symons allowed the four-year-old to stride freely without cover midfield before Curtana hit her top at the 250 metres to post a terrific win.

Curtana hit the line 1-1/4 lengths ahead of Stratcombe (Stratum) while Rocking Force turned in his usual consistent run to finish another three-quarters of a length away in third. Curtana covered the 1200-metre trip in 1.10.33, which was more than three seconds outside Iglesia’s long-standing track record.

Curtana started at $10 on course but the mare paid $9 on the Victorian TAB.

The Listed Straight Six was Curtana’s second Stakes victory but Moody’s stable manager Jeff O’Connor said the win came at the perfect time for the mare as connections decide whether to continue the Contract Racing homebred’s career next season.

“I think we will go through that with (owner) David (Moodie) and see where we end up and what we want to do.” O'Connor said.

“She's won a Listed race here again today and she's got plenty of black type. I'll leave it up to them to see if they want to race on or what we do.

“She has been that half a length of chasing carnivals and that's why we held her back here. We wanted to win one more.

“She's well-bred and if they want to race on for another year, we might be able to add a bit more to her.”