3 minute read

Experience down the Flemington straight has helped Krakarib at his second race start.

Krakarib has given his connections a Melbourne Cup Day thrill by taking out the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) at Flemington. 

The well-named colt, by Ribchester, was having his second race start on Tuesday when he led throughout to land the prize in the two-year-old event.

Ridden by Damien Thornton, Krakarib ($26) scored a three-quarter length win from Little Brose ($9) with Awestruck ($6) the same margin off third. 

Trainer Simon Zahra said Krakarib had been in work for six months leading up to his second start on Tuesday and would now be sent for a well-deserved break and potentially undergoing a gelding operation. 

Krakarib finished sixth on debut over the same course and trip on October 1. 

"We thought he could win first-up," Zahra said. 

"He got buried the fence and he just did everything wrong, so I said to Damien, just let him roll and get into a good rhythm. 

"He's got really good natural speed, so let's use that. 

"He's been well educated, and he's been in work a long time and been through the system three times. 

"I was pretty confident coming into today that he'd run a super race." 

Krakarib has already returned his connections four times his purchase price after collecting $120,000 for Tuesday's victory. 

"We bought him off the farm for about $30,000 from Spendthrift out of the paddock 12 months ago," Zahra said. 

"I said to the ownership that this is our first two-year-old together and it's a winner. 

"Even better. 

"He's small and open to improvement. He's got good natural speed and he's paid his way for everyone." 

Thornton said the race experience and a little more work had helped Krakarib on Tuesday. 

"I think it helped today. He'd seen the straight last time when he did a little bit wrong," Thornton said. 

"He's got a few attitude issues but if we can iron them out, he'll be alright."