Magic Millions winner Karuta Queen is ready to lead her rivals a merry chase in Saturday's Group Three San Domenico Stakes at RosehillTrainer Neville Layt says the speedy filly is "right on the ball" for her new season return in the 1100m feature which has been a traditional Sydney kick-off point for high-class three-year-olds."If she goes like she's been going it's going to take a pretty smart one to beat her," Layt said."She's low-flying like she was when she was an early two-year-old. She's b
Magic Millions winner Karuta Queen is ready to lead her rivals a merry chase in Saturday's Group Three San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill
Trainer Neville Layt says the speedy filly is "right on the ball" for her new season return in the 1100m feature which has been a traditional Sydney kick-off point for high-class three-year-olds.
"If she goes like she's been going it's going to take a pretty smart one to beat her," Layt said.
"She's low-flying like she was when she was an early two-year-old. She's back better than ever."
Karuta Queen was one of the success stories of the previous racing season.
The daughter of Not A Single Doubt won two early season races in Sydney before Queanbeyan-based Layt set the filly for Magic Millions riches.
Karuta Queen ran her rivals ragged in the Magic Millions 2YO Stakes (1000m) at Wyong in December, prompting Layt to say: "I think this filly will take me on the ride of my life."
Karuta Queen kept the fairytale going when she led all the way for a comprehensive win in the $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast in January.
The youngster ended her two-year-old season with a shock defeat in the Black Opal at Canberra before leading into the straight but weakening to finish 10th in the $3.5 million Golden Slipper in April.
Layt has given Karuta Queen two trials at Canberra to ready her for the San Domenico where she will attempt to win her first black type race.
"She's done a treat and is right on the ball," Layt said of his stable star.
"She's had two trials, she's had plenty of work since the last trial (on July 22) and she's just going along great guns.
"She'll have a gallop on Tuesday morning on the course proper here (at Queanbeyan) and that will be her final workout before the race."
Layt has mapped out the likely preparation for Karuta Queen which is scheduled to include the Group Three Run To The Rose (1200m) on August 27 at Rosehill and then the Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m) at Randwick on September 17.
"She'll then go down to Melbourne for a couple of races later in the carnival," Layt said.
Tommy Berry, who has partnered Karuta Queen in all six of her starts, continues his association in the San Domenico.
Layt believes the Golden Slipper was just one step too far for Karuta Queen last season, saying the filly was "looking for the paddock" by that stage.
"And I don't have to meet Sepoy this time (in the San Domenico)," the trainer said.
"That's the good part about it."