Group winner Crafty Irna has overcome an interruption to her program and will look to turn her autumn fortunes around in Saturday’s Emancipation Stakes.
Crafty Irna, winner of the Group Three Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) at last year’s autumn carnival, was forced out of the Neville Sellwood Stakes at Rosehill three weeks ago due to a setback but trainer Ron Quinton has been pleased with her progress since.
“I had to scratch her a few weeks ago, she knocked a leg,” Quinton said.
“I had to just wait for that to come right so she’s back in distance a bit on Saturday.
“It’s a Group Two fillies and mares race and she’s capable of running well.
“The 1600 metres might be a bit sharp for her but if she can run really well and even place then it’s valuable for her as a future broodmare.”
The four-year-old started her autumn campaign with a second to Red Tracer in the Group Three Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) on heavy ground.
She then finished fourth in the Listed Aspiration Quality (1600m) before failing to run down Fibrillation when second as favourite in the Group Three Epona Stakes (1900m) on March 31 prior to her setback.
Quinton is looking to step Crafty Irna back up in distance after the Emancipation.
“Two weeks after this there’s a 2000 metres Listed race (Lord Mayor’s Cup) at Rosehill that I’m looking at for her,” the trainer said.
“She’ll go for a spell after that.”
Crafty Irna was one of 12 acceptors for the Emancipation Stakes on Thursday including Fibrillation who has beaten Crafty Irna at her past two starts.
Joe Pride, who won the Emancipation with Sacred Choice two years ago, has Miss Keepsake engaged, Guy Walter has three runners while Peter Snowden has entered Shannara and Divorces.
“They’ve got a great chance,” Snowden said of Shannara and Divorces.
“There’s a lack of pace which is a bit of a concern because these horses both get back but both are going to the races in good order.”
