Paul Messara has celebrated a win at Randwick with Emanuela and he hopes to find himself in the same position with another in-form mare next week.
Messara won Saturday’s TAB Highway Handicap (1600m) with Emanuela, who posted an important city victory after back-to-back wins at her home track of Scone.
But thoughts quickly turned to next weekend’s $1.3 million The Kosciuszko (1200m) in which Messara saddles up $15 chance Luna Mia.
“She galloped this morning and I’m pleased with her,” Messara said of Luna Mia.
“She is obviously an each-way chance in the race, there are some talented horses there, but she is well and fit going into it.”
Emanuela ($4.40 fav) came into Saturday’s Randwick assignment at the top of her game and ridden positively by Nash Rawiller from a wide draw, the four-year-old found plenty in the straight to score by 1-1/4 lengths over last-start Highway Handicap winner But I Know ($7).
Gunga Din ($12) fought on well another short neck away.
“We were confident coming into it,” Messara said.
“There were a few horses here going up in distance sharply or coming off a break and we knew she was going to be strong at the mile.
“This was one of our last chances at one of these TAB Highways with her, now she will probably be out of the grades so it’s very pleasing.”
Messara said Emanuela’s owners, who include his father, Arrowfield Stud principal John, would most likely send her to the breeding barn this spring.
