Talented filly Emmalene lost none of her admirers for a Sydney autumn campaign despite her shock defeat at Doomben on Saturday.
Emmalene, who is targeting the Group Two Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm in two weeks, produced a phenomenal performance to finish on the heels of the placegetters in fifth spot behind Leealan in the Racing Retro Handicap (1110m).
Leealan ($7) downed Amber’s Crown ($7) by a nose with a long neck to third placegetter, Well Credentialled ($21).
Emmalene was having her first start since making a huge impression winning the Listed Gucci Stakes (1200m) on Oaks day at Flemington in November but looked to have lost all chance when she missed the start.
Apprentice Brooke Richardson then hunted Emmalene along to race midfield and at the top of the straight looked like she could still pull off a remarkable victory before her run petered out close to the line.
“It was more like a barrier trial and she’ll still be going to Sydney,” Emmalene’s trainer Liam Birchley said.
“She was definitely unlucky. The operation was successful but the patient is dead.”
A $110,000 buy at the Magic Millions sales, Emmalene is owned by a syndicate which includes rugby league icons Ricky Stuart, Laurie Daley and Darryl Brohman as well as well-known player agent Steve Gillis.
Stuart and Daley won rugby league premierships together while playing for the Canberra Raiders as well as being teammates during their days representing Australia.
Trainer Scott Morrison will now give Leealan a short break before looking at some of the better winter carnival races.
“What a tough win. He’s been badly handicapped and it’s crazy stuff the way he got penalised and his ratings soared after winning at the Gold Coast (in November),” Morrison said.
“I’ll bring him back for the Mick Dittman Plate then we’ll see about the winter races.”
Leealan’s win gave apprentice Anthony Allen his second metropolitan victory.
The 19-year-old is believed to be Australia’s only hearing-impaired jockey.
AAP TURF
