Eremein's Cox Plate Reminder to El Segundo
- Friday, 06 September 0909 00:00
The Geoff and Beryl White owned, and bred, Eremein continued his ascent into the realm of the most elite thoroughbreds of the past decade with Saturday's superb win increasing his prize money haul to $4,142,845, amassed from his enviable career record of 11 wins from 23 starts.
But Saturday's victory was merely an appetiser for what lies in wait for the chestnut over the spring with the weight-for-age championship of Australasia, the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 28, his prime target.
And champion jockey Glen Boss has declared the outstanding Allan Denham-trained galloper spot-on for his prestigious spring goal.
"I'm telling you it's just such a privilege to ride this horse," exclaimed a jubilant Boss.
"He's the best weight-for-age horse in Australia," the G1 specialist proclaimed
"He is heading for a big spring."
"He was there to be beaten today but he showed that tremendous fighting spirit and really lifted."
Eremein emerged from the pack and lengthened beautifully in the heavy conditions to edge out Newton's Rings by a nose just when he looked the winner after sprinting clear at the 300m.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Aqua D'Amore, which also appears right on track for her spring campaign, worked home strongly to finish third a further 1 ¾ lengths astern.
Newton's Rings Muswellbrook-based trainer Jeff Englebrecht was in awe of the performance of his marvellous six-year-old which was stepping up sharply in grade and chasing his fifth consecutive win.
"It's certainly no disgrace to be beaten a nose by the best horse in Australia," commented Englebrecht.
The Chelmsford Stakes success forced Eremein's Cox Plate price to firm from $7 into $5 according to leading Australian bookmaker Michael Eskander and he is now second favourite behind El Segundo at $4.50.
By Woodman's 1994 Breeders' Cup Juvenile and 1995 Preakness Stakes winning son Timber Country, standing this season at Eliza Park, Eremein is the second named horse from the Marscay mare Marrego out of Rewhite.
Marrego also has an unnamed yearling colt by Redoute's Choice and gave birth to a Flying Spur filly seven days ago at Orange Grove Stud. She has a date with shuttle sire Anabaa at Widden Stud this breeding season.
Eremein's six stakes triumphs to date have been at either G1 or G2 level and are a testimony to his enormous quality and that he has only ever competed against the best.
His 5 G1 wins are the 2006 The BMW, Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Ranvet Stakes and 2005 AJC Derby and Rosehill Guineas.