The
famous colours of New Zealand owner breeder and businessman Sir Peter Vela were
carried to victory in the Group III Craven Stakes at Newmarket in the UK
overnight by promising Frankel colt Eminent.
A winner on debut in September last year, Eminent was put away for the rest of
the year and re-appeared in the Craven Stakes.
The Martyn Meade trained colt raced to a length and three-quarter win in the
one mile contest beating Fastnet Rock's Rivet, who won the Group I Racing Post
Trophy last year.
The performance now has him right in the picture for the Group I Qipco 2,000
Guineas over the same course in two weeks time.
"This is what we've been waiting six months for, it's the beginning. Did
the bubble burst? No,it's still alive. It couldn't be better," Martyn
Meade told Racing Post.
"He was not 100 per cent. He was fit enough but I didn't want to overdo
him, it's a trial after all. Today he's proved he can do it with the good
horses. I think he'll most likely stay further too."
Winning rider John Crowley was well pleased with the colt.
"I've always liked him," Crowley said. "When he won his maiden
here last year he was very impressive, and it's nice that he's proven what he
can do today.
"He's a high-class horse and there'll be no problems with him getting
further. He'll improve again for the run and hopefully he keeps going
forward."
A 150,000 guinea purchase from the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for Dermot
Farrington on behalf of Sir Peter Vela's Pencarrow Stud, Eminent is the second
winner for Group I placed Kingmambo mare You'll Be Mine, a half-sister to Group
I winner Diamondsandrubies and daughter of Group I winner and Champion 2YO Filly
Quarter Moon.
Eminent is the seventh stakes-winner for Frankel.