Emily Monk
Trish Dunell
Byerley Park-based trainers Peter and Dawn Williams expect Saturday's Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday will be a precursor to bigger things next season for talented mare Emily Monk.
"We've always rated her but she's had problems," said Williams. "She bled and she's had trouble with her hocks, but she's got the ability. Next season she will be racing in Group Ones."
Emily Monk won her debut at Ellerslie two years ago and won again later that same year then bled when notching her third win, fresh-up at Avondale last November.
After the mandatory three-month stand down period, Emily Monk carried on her winning way, scoring twice at Te Rapa with an Ellerslie win between times.
She then jumped from Rating 85 company to the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes at Te Aroha, earning Group One black type when she finished a sound fourth to Perfect Fit.
"I thought it was a great run at Te Aroha," said Williams. "Vinnie (Colgan) has a big opinion of her and wants to ride her wherever she goes."
Emily Monk will face her toughest staying test on Saturday, her first race beyond 1600 metres, but Williams isn't concerned.
"We've always wanted to put her over ground but never had the chance," he said. "She gets her chance on Saturday and she should go well."
Emily Monk was bred and is raced by Beltana Stud's Richard and Dinny Rutherford, for whom the Williams' trained O'Reilly Rose to win nine races including the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Handicap and three listed events.
"O'Reilly's Rose was the first one we trained for Richard and she was a good mare for him," said Peter Williams. "He has been a very loyal client since then and it would be good to win this on Saturday.
"This will be her last run this campaign as she has been up for a while." – NZ Racing Desk
"We've always rated her but she's had problems," said Williams. "She bled and she's had trouble with her hocks, but she's got the ability. Next season she will be racing in Group Ones."
Emily Monk won her debut at Ellerslie two years ago and won again later that same year then bled when notching her third win, fresh-up at Avondale last November.
After the mandatory three-month stand down period, Emily Monk carried on her winning way, scoring twice at Te Rapa with an Ellerslie win between times.
She then jumped from Rating 85 company to the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes at Te Aroha, earning Group One black type when she finished a sound fourth to Perfect Fit.
"I thought it was a great run at Te Aroha," said Williams. "Vinnie (Colgan) has a big opinion of her and wants to ride her wherever she goes."
Emily Monk will face her toughest staying test on Saturday, her first race beyond 1600 metres, but Williams isn't concerned.
"We've always wanted to put her over ground but never had the chance," he said. "She gets her chance on Saturday and she should go well."
Emily Monk was bred and is raced by Beltana Stud's Richard and Dinny Rutherford, for whom the Williams' trained O'Reilly Rose to win nine races including the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Handicap and three listed events.
"O'Reilly's Rose was the first one we trained for Richard and she was a good mare for him," said Peter Williams. "He has been a very loyal client since then and it would be good to win this on Saturday.
"This will be her last run this campaign as she has been up for a while." – NZ Racing Desk
