Saint Emilion
Race Images Palmerston North
Quality galloper Saint Emilion looks set for another profitable campaign following his tenacious victory at New Plymouth.
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained five-year-old, who won an impressive seven races last season, produced a sterling performance for a first-up victory in Saturday's Powerworx Grey.
Saint Emilion was resuming following a five month break and he was able to overcome the rain-affected going to give all his rivals six kilos and a beating.
The slow nature of the New Plymouth track wasn't ideal for Saint Emilion, but his class was apparent and he duly provided the stable and jockey Jonathan Riddell with a winning double following Bonniegirl's runaway success in the previous event.
"He's come back well and we wanted to get a run into him, but he is much better in good ground," Forsman said.
The gelding sat outside the leader to the turn and he stuck grimly to his task in the straight to wear down Watch Your Man by half a neck with Woodsman coming on from the back for third.
Saint Emilion has now taken his winning tally into double figures off the back of an impressive four-year-old season.
The gelding went from a Rating 75 success last October through to open handicap victories in the autumn at Ellerslie and at Te Aroha, as well as a runner-up finish behind Chenille in the Listed Hawke's Bay Gold Cup. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained five-year-old, who won an impressive seven races last season, produced a sterling performance for a first-up victory in Saturday's Powerworx Grey.
Saint Emilion was resuming following a five month break and he was able to overcome the rain-affected going to give all his rivals six kilos and a beating.
The slow nature of the New Plymouth track wasn't ideal for Saint Emilion, but his class was apparent and he duly provided the stable and jockey Jonathan Riddell with a winning double following Bonniegirl's runaway success in the previous event.
"He's come back well and we wanted to get a run into him, but he is much better in good ground," Forsman said.
The gelding sat outside the leader to the turn and he stuck grimly to his task in the straight to wear down Watch Your Man by half a neck with Woodsman coming on from the back for third.
Saint Emilion has now taken his winning tally into double figures off the back of an impressive four-year-old season.
The gelding went from a Rating 75 success last October through to open handicap victories in the autumn at Ellerslie and at Te Aroha, as well as a runner-up finish behind Chenille in the Listed Hawke's Bay Gold Cup. – NZ Racing Desk.