Classy two-year-old Emain Macha had little more than a track trial in winning the Combined Transport/Mike and Nathan Woods SA BOTRA Two-Year-Old Colts & Geldings Prelude (1800m) at Globe Derby Park.
Driven by Jock Dunlop, Emain Macha ($1.30 fav) was taken to the lead and was untouched in scoring a five metre win from Glenrae Hanover ($21.50) which chased him throughout, with Brohart ($63.50) 11-1/2 metres away third.
Trained by Greg Scholefield at Naracoorte in the south-east of South Australia, Emain Macha now has the record of five starts for five wins – and he continues to run time.
He rated 1:58.7 in winning with never really being extended.
It was the gelding’s first run since rating 1:56.4 in scoring at Maryborough on April 21, and the trainer said the run would tighten the gelding up for this week’s final.
Glenrae Hanover, back with trainer Dale Afford who had returned from a New Zealand holiday, trailed the winner throughout but just couldn’t catch him.
The disappointment of the race was the talented Stars Of Courage ($5.10) which over-raced, sat outside Emain Macha, then dropped out to finish seventh beaten 64.2 metres.
Trainer Ray Holberton said he thought the two-year-old may have got his tongue over the bit which caused him to race so fiercely.
