A breathtaking finishing sprint to win the final race at Rosehill on Saturday has talented mare Emotional Circus on track for the Listed Sheraco Stakes in a fortnight.
The only trouble is the Sheraco Stakes has been pinpointed as the spring launching pad for eight-time Group One winner More Joyous.
A breathtaking finishing sprint to win the final race at Rosehill on Saturday has talented mare Emotional Circus - Photo by Steve Hart
Trainer Jason Coyle picked the Sheraco Stakes out for Emotional Circus eight weeks ago thinking it was the ideal race, not knowing the Gai Waterhouse-trained mare would head that way.
“The Sheraco was the race I wanted to come back for second-up. Hopefully in the stud book it might say second to More Joyous,” Coyle said.
“When you’ve got a good horse you want to try to race against better horses.
“It’s just a shame it’s not just a better horse she’s racing, it’s a champion (in More Joyous) she gets to race. At this stage we’ll still head towards it in two weeks and see how it pans out.”
Emotional Circus ($6) powered home down the outside over the final 200 metres to grab Miss Marx by a half-neck in the New Breed Racing Handicap (1100m) with Lady La Douce 1-1/4 lengths away third.
Coyle was concerned Emotional Circus was vulnerable in her first start since the June Stakes with 59.5kg on her back, but said the four-year-old was strong enough to handle the weight.
“With 59.5 kilos coming back first-up off only one soft trial, she had an opportunity to be beaten today,” Coyle said.
“But when she’s got something to chase she really pins the ears back and makes sure she gets there. She’s a good mare.”
Emotional Circus brought up a winning treble for jockey Christian Reith after earlier wins on New Beginning and Sables.
