Queensland brings out best in Kukeracha

Horses at Waikato Stud

Kukeracha made an overdue return to winning form in his favourite state when he prevailed in a driving finish to claim the G3 Premier’s Cup at Eagle Farm.

The Waikato Stud graduate was last successful in the Listed Tails S. at Doomben a year ago, but a most recent third in the Listed Wagga Cup was a serious indication the Chris Waller-trained representative was back to his best.

Kukeracha was given a sweet run close to the pace by rider James McDonald and, after improving three wide 500 metres from home, maintained a strong gallop for the fifth victory of his career.

“He seems to find good form in Queensland each year and is obviously a G1 Queensland Derby winner over this distance at Eagle Farm,” Waller said.

“His run at Wagga was very good and he was fit and was ready to run a strong 2400 metres.”

Bred by Dr Chris Phillips, Kukeracha was purchased out of the Matamata farm’s Book 1 draft at Karaka in 2019 by bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster for $130,000.

He is out of the imported AP Indy mare Portrait Of A Lady, also the dam of the G3 Keith Nolan Classic winner Cameo.

Recent News
6 August 2026

The Corner with Garry Chittick

It would appear I now have to continue my weekly Corner with the amount of rumblings at the start of our new racing season. I have been around long enough to know we can never please all; my tenure as Chairman of the Racing Board was subjected to as much vitriol as subsequent Boards have had to bear, so what’s different this time, or is it different.

Read More
5 August 2026

First foal for Waikato’s Group 1 winner Skew Wiff

Group 1-winning Savabeel mare Skew Wiff (ex Starvoia), known affectionately as ‘Wiffy’, foaled a filly by Super Seth in the early hours of Wednesday, 5 August.

Read More