Trish Dunell
Matamata trainer Gary Hennessy holds Ocean Emperor in high regard, but even he was surprised by the dual Group Two winner’s performance at Monday’s Te Teko trials.
Ridden by Jasmine Fawcett, Ocean Emperor bounced out to lead in the early stages of his 1030m heat then, after being joined in front, he kicked clear on straightening in the run home to win by three-quarters of a length from Summer Monsoon.
“He ran a second quicker than any of the other winners over the distance and he did it on his ear,” Hennessy said. “He’s more forward than I thought he was.
“He had five weeks locked up in a box in quarantine after his trip to Singapore and he’d only had one gallop in company going into the trial. He’s stronger and better than before.”
Ocean Emperor finished seventh in the S$1.5million Kranji Mile (1600m) on May 26 and Hennessy is planning to take him to Melbourne for a campaign following along the lines of his Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) winner Ocean Park.
“He’s had the travelling experience to Singapore so we’ve got that covered,” Hennessy said. “He’s nominated for the Cox Plate and it would be a dream to get there.”
Ocean Emperor, a seven-year-old son of Zabeel, will resume in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings on September 1. It’s the same race which Ocean Park won on his unbeaten path to his Cox Plate victory six years ago.