Winless in twelve starts and fifty-seven weeks since capturing the Tails Stakes at Doomben, the 2021 Queensland Derby hero Kukeracha stuck his nose out where it mattered most in Saturday's Group III Living Turf Premier's Cup (2400m) at Sandown.
With the 2020 Epsom Derby winner Serpentine (IRE) taking up his favoured front-running role, the race turned into a four-horse war over the final 200m.
Ridden by James McDonald for Chris Waller, Kukeracha bobbed at the right time.
The 5yo son of Night Of Thunder (IRE) edged the rallying Serpentine (Galileo) by a short half-head with Kalapour (IRE) (War Command) the same distance back in third with the 2019 Victorian Derby hero Warning (Declaration of War), a close-up fourth.
Kukeracha advances his record to five wins, five seconds, and four thirds from 33 starts with earnings of $1,030,895.
Chris Waller said Kukeracha reserves his best for Queensland.
"It was all happening, and it was good to see racing like that," Waller said.
"Even last year, he found form up here. He certainly loves it up here and a great ride from James.
"It was just a nice sentimental win."
Carrying the colours of Neville Morgan, Kukeracha was a $130,000 purchase for Mulcaster Bloodstock from the Waikato Stud draft at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
A half-brother to the Group III Keith F Nolan Classic and Listed Scone Cup winner Cameo (Shamardal), Kukeracha is the best of five winners from nine to race out of the royally-bred AP Indy mare Portrait Of A Lady (USA).
A half-sister to dual Group III winner Layman, who placed in the Group 1 Prix Morny and Group 1 Grand Criterium, Portrait Of A Lady (USA) is out of the Nureyev mare Laiyl, a three-quarter-sister to Pastorale the dam of Iffraaj.
Laiyl is the daughter of the Champion 3YO filly in Ireland in 1989, Alydaress (Alydar), winner of the Oaks at Epsom. She hails from the family of Desirable, Shadayid, Park Appeal and Cape Cross.
Godolphin parted with Portrait of a Lady (USA) at the 2017 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, where she was knocked down to Chris Phillips for $40,000 when carrying Kukeracha.
The 20yo daughter of AP Indy has a weanling colt by Too Darn Hot (GB) and was covered by Pinatubo (IRE) last spring.
