Emaraaty Is The Star
Royal Ascot 2020 will go down in history for more than just the racing and it did prove to have some affects on the season. With racing only resuming a couple of weeks before the showpiece, trainers were set a tricky proposition. This was especially true with the 2yo’s who would have a very short time between debut runs and Ascot. Star Of Emaraaty had two quick runs and following a short break she got off the mark at the third time of asking when she won the 7f EBF Stallions Fillies Novice Auction Stakes at Ayr.
Making her debut over 6f at Haydock, Star Of Emaraaty showed a very professional attitude to finish second. She had shown good speed throughout the contest and the winner was talked about as being a Royal contender. Kevin would not normally rush a 2yo, especially into championship races but this year is not a normal year. It was decided that Star Of Emaraaty would take her chance in the 5f Queen Mary as she had taken her race well. She ran very well, showing up early before getting outpaced and then rallying again late on. It was quite a funny run but it certainly stated that Star Of Emaraaty would be stepping back up in trip in the future.
Ascot didn’t take a toll on the filly but Kevin did want to give her a bit of time before her next run. Her sire Pride Of Dubai enjoyed his best career performance over 7f and this was the trip which Kevin felt may be the best for his filly going forward. Looking for races over that distance, the run would answer any questions for the future would narrow the options for the rest of the year. Ayr has always been a track which Kevin has enjoyed success at and Star Of Emaraaty headed to Scotland to take on just the 4 rivals. Kevin Stott maintained his partnership with the chestnut filly.
Star Of Emaraaty vied for favouritism with Highly Dancer, who had finished 2nd on debut, but would eventually go off as the second fav. Market leader Highly Dancer had already proved herself over the trip but Stott was confident his filly would thrive over the longer trip. This confidence was obvious from the off as Kevin sent his filly to the front as she jumped well. Her market rival went forward to press Star Of Emaraaty as the 3 newcomers allowed the experience to dictate. Despite getting the lead relatively easily, Kevin set a nice gallop which would be fair for all.
After the first furlong Star Of Emaraaty decided she wanted to get on with and for a few strides took her jockey on. Kevin was happy to let her use her stride but tried to make a compromise. The pace increased but Stott ensured that his filly didn’t over do it in front. The favourite sat on the leader’s girths as they headed down towards the home bend. Kevin just took a tug on the reins to steady his filly, trying to get her on to the right lead leg. Star Of Emaraaty entered the left hander with the lead but she was still wanting to go on so Stott just had to keep her balanced around the bend.
Very little had changed in the order but as they exited into the home straight the 5 runners bunched up. It was Stott who was first to get lower in the saddle as he began to wind his filly up. Passing the 3f marker the pair still held the lead but Highly Dancer was sat to the outer looming dangerously. Just in behind the front 2 was debutante Party Spirit who travelled well in the slipstream. Having been the first to work, Stott had now got his filly into a lovely rhythm and lengthening. Suddenly 2 1/2f out the fav came under pressure and couldn’t match Star Of Emaraaty. It was Party Line who cruised through to take second place and prove to be the biggest danger.
As they headed into the final 2f Stott got more animated in the saddle and his filly was responding. Party Line was going the better but when the button was pressed Star Of Emaraaty could match her stride for stride. Holding a neck lead the chestnut filly was finding for pressure as the pair began to pull away from the rest. The race was between the two of them but it was set to be a test.
Only a neck separated Star Of Emaraaty and Party Line but then inexperience became a factor. Into the final furlong Party Line leant into the leader as they came very close. Star Of Emaraaty wasn’t fazed and continued to move forward but then returned the favour and moved towards her rival. Both fillies were showing signs of greeness but Star Of Emaraaty could just utilise her experience to help her and started to get on top in the final 100 yards. The extra distance was proving no problem and Star Of Emaraaty pulled out more to get on top and win by a neck.
The step up in trip was ideal for Star Of Emaraaty and she looks like a nice filly moving forward. Her two previous runs were full of promise and it was nice to get her head in front now. Despite having the most experience it was the first time that Star Of Emaraaty got into a real hard race and she still showed some greeness. This gives the impression that there is more to come from Star Of Emaraaty and could be open to more improvement, especially with this new trip. Owners Ontawinner have enjoyed some huge success with fillies and Star Of Emaraaty does look like a nice prospect. This run will now see her eligible for a handicap mark so going forward there are a lot of options and Kevin will be weighing everything up for his filly and may even aim higher in the future.