SHE’S A GOOD LOOKER – AND TALENTED

SHE is named after the acclaimed Ukrainian-born American actress Mila Kunis – and isn’t short on talent either!

But it’s been a long haul to get her to the races, and actually contest a race.

Thus trainers Rob and Luke Price and Kunis’ owners were entitled to be chuffed when the three-year-old filly made a successful debut at her home track at Kembla Grange today.

Ridden by Jean Van Overmeire, Kunis ($6) defeated Our Lady Peace ($5) and Life Young Ever ($16) in the Maiden Plate (1000m).

A daughter of Golden Slipper winner Capitalist, Kunis was a $45,000 purchase at the 2024 Inglis Classic yearling sale.

“Dad really liked her at the sale,” Luke Price said this evening.

“Her dam Hanto (by Fastnet Rock from dual Group 2 winner More Strawberries) raced only five times for a Gosford win and city placing.

“We were able to put a syndicate together to race her.

“We always knew she was fast, but it’s been a lot of hard work to get her to a race.

“Her heart rate goes from zero to 100, and we have been taking her to the races a few times, and walking her around the saddling enclosure to get her used to the raceday experience.

“Maddie Waters has done a terrific job with her, riding her work and in trials as well and taking her to the barriers to try to get her accustomed to them without getting worked up.

“I took her to the races here last Saturday, and she was a bit of a mess.

“I do some things with her different to our others horses, and worked her hard this morning even though she was in the first race.

“It must have helped because she settled nicely and did a good job to win.

“Hopefully, having a good experience in a race today will give her confidence.

“There’s never been any doubt about Kunis’ ability. It’s been a mental thing with her.”

Whilst Rob and Luke Price posted their eighth local winner of the season, it is going to be a really tough assignment to retain their premiership title.

Fellow Kembla Grange joint trainers Mitch Beer and George Carpenter followed suit from a home track double last Saturday on the inside Illawarra Grange track by leading in another two winners today.

Team Beer’s double lifted them to 16 wins for the season, four ahead of Kerry Parker.

Team Beer snared the last two races with Autumn Blonde ($5.50) and Presides ($2.70 favorite).

Dylan Gibbons rode Autumn Blonde to victory in the Midway Class 1 Handicap (1500m), and apprentice Coriah Keatings’ 3kg allowance proved invaluable on topweight Presides in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1300m).

Autumn Blonde was having only her fourth start since joining Team Beer, whilst Presides was a late withdrawal from an Illawarra Grange race last Saturday, and RacingNSW stewards gave the ‘green light” for him to carry his 60kg to his fourth success.

. The barrier trial session scheduled for Newcastle on Wednesday, June 17 will now be held at Wyong.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JUNE 2, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS