New Stakes-Winner for Pins

Media Release - Saturday September 22

Locally trained filly Emily Margaret showed all her fighting qualities as she withstood a fierce challenge from northern visitor Wekaforce to claim the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton.

Emily Margaret - Race ImagesThe Pins filly had entered the race as the South Island's leading hope after dealing to a handy field over 1000m on her home turf a fortnight ago. Most pundits expected her to put in a good showing although pre-race discussions centred mainly around the Tony Pike trained Cambridge raider Wekaforce, who was sent out a warm favourite.

Those predictions appeared to be well founded with Wekaforce showing a torrent of speed to cross to the lead from the outside barrier in the early stages of the contest. The key to the race however, was the good beginning made by Emily Margaret from an inside draw with rider Jasmine Fawcett happy to post the favourite one off the rail as she held her place against the fence on her mount.

The pair went head to head for the entire 1200m journey with Emily Margaret finding a little more in the concluding stages to draw clear by half-a-length as Wekaforce's early exertions told on her in the final 100m.

"It was a good tough win wasn't it," said co-trainer Kevin Hughes.

"It was a great ride by Jasmine as I said to her we had to use the barrier in a big field like that. With that many in the field there can be carnage when you get in amongst them so we were much better in front and out of trouble.

"I thought that Wekaforce was the one to beat and they really set down to a ding-dong battle in the home straight.

"I know how tough my filly is so I was hoping she would see it out as she loves a scrap."

Hughes, who prepares the filly with his wife Pam for owner Rodger Finlay, was also relieved the victory would allow him to settle on a path to the Gr.1 gavelhouse.com 1000 Guineas (1600m) under his own terms.

"I think that should just about seal a place in the 1000 Guineas for her so we can take our time and pick a path for her," he said.

"She doesn't mind the ground the way it was today but she also handles it with some cut in the track so if we could strike that sort of ground at her next start it would be in her best interests.

"There is a 1400m race for the three-year-olds at Ashburton coming up but I'm more inclined to tackle a grade race instead where she should get in pretty well.

"We'll just see how she comes through this one and then look at what is available but she will definitely step up to 1400m to get her ready to run the mile in the Guineas."

The Gr.1 gavelhouse.com 46th New Zealand 1000 Guineas will be run at Riccarton on November 17. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
Pins Colt Purple Sector a Class Above in Rough Habit
After watching on as former pupil Vega One blitzed the field in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes, John Thompson had his own reason to cheer when the three-year-old Pins colt Purple Sector earned his first black-type in Saturday’s Group III Rough Habit Plate at Doomben.
Pins Filly Wins G2 Wellington Guineas
An emotional Kevin Hughes was pleasantly surprised to get the judges call in his favour when his bonny filly Emily Margaret prevailed in a tight finish to the Group II Norwood Family Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Residential Front Running Win in G3 Valachi Downs Breeders Stakes
Consistent mare Residential scored her biggest career victory when she led all the way to take out the Group III Valachi Downs South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday.
More Stakes Success for Pins Mare
Matamata visitor Princess Kereru signed off on an A+ report card for her current campaign when she scored a hollow victory in the Listed NZB Finance Sprint (1200m) at Hastings on Saturday.