The additions of blinkers was the extra incentive Kuro needed to win the Listed $100,000 IPG Connect Mick Dittman Plate (1200m) at Doomben today.

The addition of blinkrers helped Kuro return to the winner’s stall in the Mick Dittman Plate at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Two starts back Kuro ran second to Sweet Idea in the Group 1 $400,000 Canadian Club Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on March 21 with subsequent Group 1 winner Miracles Of Life finishing third.

But at his next start, after being sent out as the $2.45 favourite in the Group 2 $500,000 Arrowfield 3yo Sprint (1200m) at Randwick on April 11, Kuro only beat two runners home when eighth on the heavy track.

Winning trainer Joe Pride then decided to add the blinkers to the three year old and got instant rewards with a tough on pace win.

“Kuro gets the job done at Doomben,” Pride tweeted after the win.

Winning rider Craig Williams had Kuro ($4.60) out of the barriers quickly and had no problems sitting outside the leader Miss Cover Girl ($4.20 favourite).

Miss Cover Girl and Kuro then had a dog fight all the way down the straight before the Denman colt got the better of the Kelly Schweida trained filly.

Kuro was then able to hold off the strong finish of Sarajevo ($7.50) and Deiheros ($11) who raced just off the pace with Our Cover Girl sticking on for fifth.

“Credit to Kuro today. He had to do all the running,” Williams said.

“Joe Pride he put the blinkers on today and it seemed to work really well.”

“Kuro, he had two choices today to run in the Group 1 or the three year old race. It has given him a win and has given him confidence.”