Saint Emilion (NZ) Comes of Age at Ellerslie

Saint Emilion (NZ) Comes of Age at Ellerslie

Thursday, Nov 3, 2016

Saint Emilion winning the OMF Stakes.
Photo: Trish Dunell

Saint Emilion (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) stormed to an emphatic win in Tuesday’s $70,000 Group 3 OMF Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie taking his total earnings to more than $200,000.

The grey gelding was already a proven handicapper with 10 victories to his name, but big weights have begun to force him out of those races. Tuesday’s Ellerslie feature was his second attempt at weight-for-age and he passed the test with flying colours, leading all the way and scoring by two lengths.

“He really is weighted out of the handicaps now and weight-for-age racing has to be his go from now on, so it was good to see him do that,” co-trainer Andrew Forsman said. “He’s still lightly raced, even though he’s won 11 races, so he’s a horse who’s still maturing and improving all the time. He’s relaxing better in his races now, which is great to see.

“He’s a tough horse. You take him on in front at your peril. A few have had a crack at him and failed, and now they’re a bit reluctant to do so. That really plays to his advantage and he can make all the running.”

Saint Emilion has now won 11 of his 24 starts for the Estate of the late R A Horton, who also bred the horse.

He was offered by Little Avondale Stud at the 2013 Select Sale but fell $4,000 short of his $80,000 reserve.

© Scoop Media