Trainer Chris Waller may need to rethink plans to spell Emirate after his first-class win at Rosehill to remain unbeaten.
Rising star Emirate overcame quality opposition, some race interference, and testing track conditions for an easy win in the Ranvet Handicap (1300m).
Top jockey Josh Parr got the chance to put Emirate’s through his paces and said simply: “What an easy horse to ride!”
“He just bounced, put himself in the perfect position,” Parr said.
“There was a bit of nonsense at the top of the straight, Jay Ford’s horse (Commanding Artist) was wandering around and we made contact.
“But my colt immediately balanced up and then he went through the gap. When I found clear air, my gosh, we all saw it – he was so impressive. He is a very nice horse.”
Emirate, an easing $2.70 favourite, settled third on the rails then streaked away in the straight to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths without Parr having to fully test the promising two-year-old.
Early leader Sovereign Hill ($6) held on well for second with Mr Artemisia ($14) running on strongly for third, a half-length away.
Sydney’s premier trainer Chris Waller prepared the first and third placegetters and has both youngsters entered for the Group 1 $1 million JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 15.
Waller wasn’t at Rosehill but had indicated earlier in the week that Emirate was likely to be spelled after this race.
However, Emirate was so impressive Waller might have a rethink about the Group 1 $1 million JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 15.
TAB Fixed Odds price assessors slashed Emirate’s odds to the second line of betting at $8 for the JJ Atkins behind only $3 favourite Broadsiding, while Mr Artemisia is into $11.
“I don’t know about Brisbane, Emirate could probably go up north,” said Damien Fitton, Waller’s stable representative.
“He is in the JJ Atkins as is Mr Artemisia. Off that run today, Mr Artemisia was hitting the line strongly and he could be a candidate if he can get into the field.
“But as always, we will see how they pull up from today and then make decisions.”
Emirate was purchased for $1 million at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale last year and improved his record to two wins from as many starts.
Despite the race being run in pouring rain, the Waller stable had anticipated Emirate would handle the deteriorating track conditions.
“It was quite heavy at Warwick Farm last start (on debut) so Emirate has had the benefit of being on a heavy track so we were quietly confident coming into today,” Fitton said.
But the stable would not have anticipated the interference Emirate needed to overcome to win at Rosehill.
Emirate showed his professionalism by absorbing a buffeting then regaining his balance quickly before reeling in Sovereign Hill and racing away to win by a widening margin.
Fitton said it is never easy for an inexperienced two-year-old to cope with interference that Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Gavin Carmody described as a “don’t argue”.
“They usually fold and drop out the back when something like that happens,” Fitton said.
“But Emirate has been a tough horse ever since he came into the stable and he is continuing to rise through the grades.
“The colt had a bit of interference and needed to push out but when he did he was electric late. It is very promising moving forward.
“I’m sure he will make a nice three-year-old. Being by (Newgate’s champion sire) Extreme Choice they improve as well.
“This colt is only lightly raced, he’s won his two starts so he has done a really good job.”
Fitton also predicts a bright future for Mr Artemisia, a colt by Arrowfield’s boom young stallion The Autumn Sun, who has been placed in each of his three starts which have featured a powerful finishing sprint.
Rory Hutchings, rider of Mr Artemisia, had an immediate answer when asked to describe the colt’s run: “Huge!”
“He is going to be a really nice horse as a three-year-old,” Hutchings said.