Godolphin mare Emanate has scored a poignant victory at Canterbury just a day after the death of racing industry stalwart Bob Ingham.
Ingham, who died on Tuesday at the age of 88, raced Emanate’s sire Lonhro who carried the family’s famous cerise silks to victory in 11 Group One races.
The mare’s maternal line is also steeped in Woodlands Stud history, her granddam Camarilla a Group One winner of the 2007 Sires’ Produce Stakes.
Darren Beadman was stable jockey for the Jack and Bob Ingham-owned Crown Lodge during its hey day, riding Lonhro to 10 of his elite wins and partnering Camarilla to her biggest success.
Now an assistant trainer for Emanate’s owners Godolphin, Beadman said the mare’s Canterbury triumph was fitting.
“She is steeped in the Woodlands brand and goes right back to Mr Jack and Bob (Ingham),” Beadman said.
“It was very deserving that Lonhro and (Emanate’s dam) Guelph could shine today and it was a sad day for racing with Mr Ingham passing away.”
Emanate ($10) stalked leader Private Thoughts then zipped clear on straightening to win the Sky Racing Active Handicap (1100m) by 1-1/4 lengths over Just Field ($13) with Military Magic ($7) another half-length away.
It was her third win in seven starts and second in succession, prompting Beadman to flag a step up in grade.
“Her only real blemish has been on a heavy nine so hopefully we can get some black-type with her in the next couple of months,” Beadman said.
Chat also snuck under the guard of punters at Canterbury with his first up win, but it came as no surprise to his trainer John Thompson.
Thompson revealed the lightly-raced gelding had been working with a high-profile training partner and keeping pace.
“Last Tuesday he galloped with Classique Legend on the Kensington track and they worked very well,” Thompson said.
“It was a good tip.”
Classique Legend resumed with a blistering victory in The Shorts on Saturday and while Chat wasn’t quite as dynamic, he impressed with his effort to run down the leaders.
“The worry today were those 1100-metre, speed horses around Canterbury and whether they would be too nippy for us but he’s just going super,” Thompson said.
Chat started at $13 and defeated the $3.20 favourite Mister Mosaic by a half-length with Black Magnum ($13) holding on for third.
