CAN'T HURRY LOVE

New Zealand-bred mare Hurry Curry surged back into the winner's circle after 17 months in the wilderness with a strong win at Sandown on Wednesday. 

The Waikato Stud born and owned VRC Oaks placegetter hadn't won since September 2024, but the daughter of Ocean Park was stepping beyond 2000m for the first time since that Group 1 placing. 

Danny O'Brien's Assistant Trainer Michael Blomeley was adamant the mare had kept her form, but was a victim of slow starts and races bereft of speed.

"We have been happy with her at home, but she kept being her own worst enemy by flopping out of the gates and ending up too far back in races that were lacking in tempo," Blomeley said. 

"However today Mick was able to get her closer in the run and that ended up the winning move as she was close enough in the run, and getting her to 2400m was also right up her alley."

Jockey Michael Dee said the stable was very confident that she could break through in this race. 

"She was turned out in magnificent condition and the stable was keen for me to have her as close as I could in the run and those tactics have allowed her to be in a position to get the result today," Dee said post-race.

"I felt we were winning this race from a long way out and she swept up to them like she would win easy, but when she hit the lead she thought her job was done, so her win was better than what it looked visually."

The BM74 victory was the mare's third from 16 starts and took her career prizemoney earned beyond $200,000.

Pic by Racing Photos