Emerat Makes Pleasing Debut
It has taken some time but finally Weld Al Emerat took the track and started his career in the perfect way. Being by Dubawi and out of a listed winner, Emerat is impeccably bred but he was always the type to need time and the wait was worth it. Having shown plenty at home in recent weeks, the penny had really dropped and Kevin decided it was time to head to the race course.
Weld Al Emerat had always had a big, galloping stride so Kevin felt Southwell was the track that would best suit his charge. The Polytrack does ride a little slower and plays to the strengths of horses who may do better over slightly further. The 1 mile maiden was seen as the best starting point and Emerat didn’t dissapoint. Graham Lee took the ride but before the race he must have thought he had turned the clock back to his jumping days. Weld Al Emarat dwarfed all his competition in the parade ring and looked a giant compared to the rest.
There was a warm favourite in Reetaj but Emerat had received some support and was sent of second favourite. His backers must have been wincing early on as Emerat fluffed the start giving the field a good 3 lengths head start. Even then Graham was having to niggle and work to get his mount into some sort of rhythm. As the field settled into a sedate pace, Weld Al Emerat was still learning with every stride and it took a full 2f to get going. The steady pace had allowed Emerat to recover and get back into the race, but then it played slightly against him. As they came to halfway, Graham suddenly had a fight on his hands as Emerat began to pull his way forward. Sweeping round the outside of the field, Emerat had tanked through the field and pulled his way up to the leaders, sitting 4 wide. The runners headed into the home bend tightly bunched and with plenty looking to have a chance. Straightening up for home and Graham was still keeping Emerat under a tight rein but he was just on the losing side of the fight. Emerat now had the lead but despite pulling his way to the front he still looked full of running. As the pair began to draw clear it was the favourite who came to challenge. Emerat’s inexperience began to show as he started to hang allowing the fav to get alongside in the straight. Once Weld Al Emerat realised there was another horse there he put his head down and edged clear to win by half a length.
This was a race that Weld Al Emerat did everything wrong in but his class took him through. He has shown a lot at home and if Graham had decided to, the result could have been another 5 lengths further clear. Owner Ahmad Al Sheikh bred Emerat and it is a great result to start his career off in the correct manner. He holds a Derby entry and whilst that may be a little lofty, Weld Al Emerat is an exciting prospect for his 3 year old career and Kevin cannot wait for his next run.