The Chris Waller-trained Konasana strikes back from luckless Guineas run with a fighting victory

Progressive filly Konasana gained redemption for her Hawkesbury Guineas defeat with a gutsy win at Randwick on Saturday.

Konasana continued her good form with a win at Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

Konasana rebounded from her luckless Hawkesbury Guineas loss to score a determined win at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Chris Waller’s decision to keep Konasana in Sydney was vindicated when she won the St George Leagues Club Handicap (1400m).

Her win continued the filly’s impressive autumn campaign which has included her career-best success in the Group 3 James H.B. Carr Stakes and was compensation for her unlucky Hawkesbury Guineas effort when she was badly held up for a run.

“It was great to see Konasana win again for Debbie (Kepitis, owner) and the Woppit team who are all here,” said Charlie Duckworth, the representative for the Waller stable. “I was also happy to see Rory (Hutchings) riding a winner for us.”

🧘 Konasana too good at Randwick!@[e-mail]/DVRuZm3uNR

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 25, 2024

Konasana ($3.30 favourite) was given the run of the race by Hutchings and she responded with a determined effort to reel in early leader Missy Moola ($9) to score by a long neck with Anagain ($6) nearly two lengths away third.

Duckworth admitted he was unsure of immediate race plans for Konasana who improved her race record to four wins from 10 starts for more than $350,000 prizemoney.

“It’s a little bit tricky,” Duckworth said. “We have to work out where her best distance range is.

“She is by Dundeel so we have to decide if she steps out over further. It looks like she is relaxing now in her races so maybe it is time to step her out in trip.

“But I feel next preparation is when we will see her at her best.”

Missy Moola, a Wellington Guineas placegetter last season, was having her first run in six months and her effort to lead for most of the race and test the race-fit Konasana suggests she’s in for a good winter campaign.

Originally published as The Chris Waller-trained Konasana strikes back from luckless Guineas run with a fighting victory