Rugby League Greats Share In Win
- Saturday, 08 October 2011 03:15
Rugby league greats Laurie Daley, Darryl Brohman and Ricky Stuart may have an above average filly on their hands following the narrow win of Emmalene at Eagle Farm.
Ridden by Larry Cassidy, Emmalene edged out Patinack Farm's Another Superior by a short neck in Saturday's Airasia.com Handicap (1200m).
Dorchester filled the minor placing only a half head away third in the close finish.
Stuart, Brohman and Daley share in the ownership of Emmalene with seven others.
Emmalene is a daughter of Jet Spur and cost $110,000 at the Magic Millions sales.
Trainer Liam Birchley has a good opinion of Emmalene who won on debut at Caloundra in August.
Birchley then sent her to Sydney where she finished second to Vintage Triumph at Canterbury on September 23.
Birchley is contemplating a trip to Melbourne next month with Emmalene if she pulls up well from her tough run on a slow track.
"Provided she pulls up OK we're thinking of sending her to Melbourne," Birchley said.
"There's a three-year-old fillies races on Oaks day which looks suitable for her.
"I think she'll improve a lot once when put blinkers on her."
Jockey Larry Cassidy gave Emmalene the tick of approval after the filly ploughed through the wet conditions.
On Thursday, Cassidy was successful in his appeal against a three month suspension imposed by stewards over his handling of beaten favourite, the Rob Heathcote-trained Trump at Doomben last month.
"I was three wide on her but on a track like that it was no disadvantage," Cassidy said.
"I thought there would be some speed in the race so I could be fourth or fifth. I counted to ten and let them sort themselves out before I made a move forward."
In a pre-race sensation favourite backers did their money cold when Kelbenjar reared as the gates opened and took no part in the race.
Stewards later declared the gelding to be a starter.
