Murray
Baker and Andrew Forsman are likely to be scouring Australian racing programmes
for tough six year-old Saint Emilion following the grand front-runner's first
Group I success at Ellerslie on Saturday.
The Cambridge trainers will be seriously tempted to look further afield after
they produced the grey for a career-best performance in the Group I Bonecrusher
New Zealand Stakes (2000m).
"We'll see what's about and think about Sydney and Brisbane, we'll be looking
at all the options," Forsman said.
Saint Emilion coasted along in his customary role in front under jockey Leith
Innes and he held a strong gallop to the post for the 13th win of
his career.
"It worked out perfectly and Leith rode him a treat, in that mood he's hard to
catch," Forsman said.
"He was just cruising and he really deserved that."
Saint Emilion was one of three runners in the race for the stable, but Lizzie
L'Amour and Nicoletta failed to run up to their best form and were unplaced.
"They were both disappointing and maybe victims of a tracks that has dried
out," Forsman said.
By contrast, the going was ideal for Saint Emilion and Innes said the son of
Mastercraftsman had the race sewn up a long way out.
"At the 1200m I felt pretty confident. He was enjoying his work. Murray and
Andrew always have them very fit and it's great to pick up a Group One for
them.
"He's a grand old horse and he horse deserved it."
Saint Emilion is the seventh Group I winner worldwide for former Windsor Park
Stud shuttler Mastercraftsman and is from four time winner Roseario, a half-sister
by Pentire to stakes-winner Raw Instinct.