Trish Dunell
Emily Margaret’s runner-up performance over 1200m at Riccarton on Saturday has got her connections thinking.
The Group Two-winning daughter of Pins put in a disappointing effort when tailing the field home in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) last month, but her performance on Saturday has co-trainer Kevin Hughes weighing up a tilt at the Gr.1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham next month.
“I was very pleased with her on Saturday because there was a bit of a muck-up in the Valachi and I just wanted to get her back on track again and get her confidence back,” said Hughes, who trains the four-year-old mare in partnership with his wife Pam.
“With a bit of pain last year I don’t think she jumped out as well as she could and they have just got to realise that it doesn’t hurt anymore.
“I think she is going through that, and on Saturday she jumped out pretty well. It was a grand finish, the three of them knuckling down to it.
“I have still got in the back of my mind to put in a late nomination for the Telegraph, but she has got the Kamada Park (Manawatu Challenge Stakes, Gr.2) at 1400m at Manawatu on the 21st (of December).
“That will be her first target. We will try her at weight-for-age and see how she goes.”
Bred by Archer Equine Investments, Emily Margaret born at Trelawney Stud and sold through their 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Select draft. She was purchased by Rodger Finlay for $55,000 and has earned nearly $170,000 in stakes.-NZ Racing Desk