Trial watchers were keen to see the opening race at Warwick Farm on Wednesday to find out what would happen when $1million Extreme Choice colt Emirate was let off the bridle.
The Chris Waller trained colt was well held together in his only two trials and when asked to find the line on race day by James McDonald, the well backed favourite had all the answers.
Despite stepping away a touch slow in the heavy conditions, Emirate worked forward to find a position on the fence and when switched wide to find better ground in the straight he let down with a good change of gear to win the 1000m by half a length over Shalaa Gold, who had finished in front of him at the trials.
“He’s a nice horse and that was a very professional effort, although he is still a work in progress,” said James McDonald.
“It was tough going out there, so he’s done a good job.”
Assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth was not surprised at the result.
“He’s got a good level of talent and has probably seen his last Wednesday race,” he said.
“He got a lovely ride and when he found the better part of the track accelerated well. He’s a colt we would expect to see racing in Black Type company for the rest of his career.”
A $1million Magic Millions purchase from Kingstar Farm for Aramco Racing/Mick Price Racing & Breeding/Rick Connolly Bloodstock, Emirate runs for a partnership between Aramco and Yulong.
Bred by Kingstar Farm, who also bred and sold Extreme Choice’s Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside, Emirate is the first foal of Sweet Bouquet, a winning half-sister by Dream Ahead (GB) to Group winners Santos, Melagrana and to the dam of Group winner Sebonack.
Kingstar sold the second foal from Sweet Bouquet, a colt by Time to Reign, at the Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale for $120,000 to Tullimbar Pty Ltd.
She produced another filly earlier this year by Extreme Choice bred to Northern Hemisphere time , so the team at Kingstar Farm will be cheering Emirate on to greater heights.
