It's not often a barrier trial overshadows a race win, but the dominating performance of Karuta Queen yesterday at Thoroughbred Park has trainer Neville Layt expecting a fruitful campaign.
Layt enjoyed success at Canberra when his four-year-old gelding One More Grand eased to victory in the 1200m handicap, but it was his 2011 Magic Millions Classic winner that put a smile on the face of the veteran Queanbeyan trainer.
Although admitting Karuta Queen had beaten nothing in the 900m open trial, Layt couldn't help but be excited by the 17 length winning margin.
''She's just got the natural speed - she was never off the bridle,'' Layt said.
''Adrian [Layt] did give her a tap because she was bludging a bit coming down to the line, but she's run 50.64sec for 900m, and that's flying. If you break 51 you're going all right.''
Layt had toyed with the idea of sending his champion to Melbourne for a first-up tilt at the Group1 Oakleigh Plate, but will instead send the three-year-old to Warwick Farm for The Farm Flying (1000m) on February 4, before backing up the filly in the Group2 Light Fingers Stakes on February 18.
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