The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained mare High Emocean was in her class of her own in Sunday’s Listed RM Ansett Classic (2415m) at Mornington.
Ridden by Jye McNeil, the 4yo daughter of Ocean Park never at any stage gave her supporters concern, putting four and a half lengths on the runner-up Tavirun (Tavistock) with Eureka Street (Street Cry) a neck back in third.
David Eustace said they might now up their sights for the mare.
That was fantastic, she is amazing this filly, so very, very brave, Eustice told Racing.com.
“It was the plan to come here for some valuable black-type and hopefully we can improve on that because she is a genuine stayer.
“The Sandown Cup would have to be considered with those staying races over the carnival at Flemington. I think there is a 2,800 benchmark 90 or 96, which would be good for the owners.
“We know she stays and doesn’t need to be over-racing or to be over-trained at home. It’s about spacing her runs, she would probably have one run in to Sandown.
High Emocean finished third on a heavy 10 at Moonee Valley on August 22 at her most recent start, which snapped a three-start winning streak.
“She tied very hard in that ground and she is not very big so it took a fair bit out of her. She had twelve days in the paddock and she will do the same, Eustice added.
Purchased by John Foote Bloodstock / Darren Weir Racing for $80,000 out of the Wentwood Grange draft at the 2018 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, High Emocean advances her record to 5 wins, 3 seconds and 2 from 11 starts with earnings of $217,885.
A half-sister to Listed stakes winner Elate (Savabeel), High Emocean is the third winner from as many to race out of the unraced High Chaparral (IRE) mare High Joy whose Group 1-paced dam Endless Joy (Centaine) who is a half-sister to the 9-time Group 1 winning champion Bonecrusher.
An Iffraaj (GB) half-brother to High Emocean was purchased by Bourbon Lane Stable LLC / Mr D Foster / Mr SB Marsh for $250,000 at this year’s Karaka Yearling Sale.
High Joy has a yearling filly by Iffraaj (GB) and was covered by Savabeel last spring.
High Emocean becomes the tenth stakes-winner for Waikato Stud's Ocean Park. As we have stated many times in the past 12 months, no stallion did more to advance his cause last season than the Cox Plate winning son of Thorn Park..