Trainer Steven O’Dea left Eagle Farm contemplating a return for winter carnival glory after his smart filly Empress Me stamped her class with an authoritative victory.
Having just her third career start, Empress Me put paid to her rivals in a few big strides in the straight and raced away to win the $50,000 Hidden Dragon @ Lyndhurst Stud Handicap (1200m).
Empress Me took the $21,000 QTIS bonus and while O’Dea tried to contain his enthusiasm he admitted the black-type fillies’ races during the winter carnival were on his radar.
“She’s a smart filly and she’s always shown us plenty,” O’Dea said.
“She’ll improve when the races get a bit longer and the good-class fillies races during the carnival are probably within her scope.
“We’ll take her along steadily from here but the winter is high on the agenda.”
Empress Me ($6.50) was given a lovely ride by Ryan Wiggins and the daughter of Jet Spur sprinted quickly over the final 200m to beat Kilwinning Option ($5) by two lengths with Chew The Fat ($12) a head back third.
Earlier, a partnership formed in western Queensland more than 40 years ago was further enriched when pint-sized mare Gold Shears scored a tough win in the $45,000 www.brc.com.au Class 6 Plate (1800m).
Winning trainer Barry Baldwin and former dentist John Harris joined forces in 1968 when Baldwin started his training career in Roma and the pair have since enjoyed a long friendship.
“It’s nice when owners stick by you and I have been training horses for him since I started back in the bush,” Baldwin said.
“He’s been with me all the way through and it’s great to repay his loyalty.”
Gold Shears was the victim of a slowly-run race at the Gold Coast last start but winning jockey Scott Galloway made sure there was no repeat of that on Saturday when he made a winning move passing the 600m.
Galloway took the initiative and urged Gold Shears ($5) to dash around the field and the 430kg midget found the front at the top of the straight and held off a determined fightback from pacemaker Kunali ($4) to win by a short neck.
Well-supported favourite Marked ($2.80) enjoyed the run of the race on the fence behind the leader but was flat-footed in the straight and held his ground to finish a half-neck back third.
AAP TURF
