An Emma Stewart dominance on TAB Breeders Crown night has become a familiar sight and the state’s leading trainer looks well poised to reward her diverse group of owners with more silverware this Saturday.
Across the pacing Group 1s alone she has an extraordinary 14 starters, including seven of the starters in the Captain Crunch two-year-old fillies final, which may well produce the most highly anticipated showdown of the night.
Tough Tilly, carrying the hopes of owners representing EB Research Partnership Australia, will attempt to make her draw advantage count to put the first loss next to the name of Lauriston Bloodstock’s Ladies In Red, while stablemates Joanna, Treachery, Rogue Wave, Platinum Sparkle and Dangerous Hand lay in wait.
Stewart joined SENTrack Talking Trots hosts Jason Bonnington this week to preview their chances.
“It’s hard to say, I love both (Tough Tilly and Ladies In Red),” Stewart said. “I do have a real soft spot for Tough Tilly though, I think she’s been quite unlucky in a few of her runs, but in saying that you can’t take anything off Ladies In Red – she just goes out and gets the job done.”
Both won their semi-finals handsomely and Tough Tilly, to be driven by Kate Gath, benefitted by drawing gate nine, with David Moran and Ladies In Red to start on her back if the emergency comes out.
Stewart said even the gate advantage may not be enough.
“Though Tough Tilly draws better than (Ladies In Red), I’m not sure it gives her the nudge in front of her – I’m just not sure,” she said.
“Every race (Ladies In Red) puts her best foot forward. Tough Tilly’s been beat a fair few times, that’s probably one mark against her. Hopefully this week with the better draw she puts up a real fight against Ladies In Red.”
Tough Tilly is a $1.65 favourite with TAB.com.au ahead of Ladies In Red at $2.40, with $19 chance Treachery the next shortest.
“I definitely think Joanna’s going terrific, Treachery’s going good as well and I thought Dangerous Hands was really good the other night as well,” Stewart said.
“I’d be surprised if they beat them, but with the right one any of those ones I mentioned could possibly win.”
Stewart also gave a runner-by-runner breakdown of her and partner Clayton Tonkin’s other pacing Group 1 chances:
Race 5: VHRC CADUCEUS 2YO COLTS AND GELDING FINAL
1. Major Moth (trainer Clayton Tonkin, driver Damian Wilson)
“I love this horse, he’s probably my favourite of the two-year-old colts. Major Moth’s run was terrific and Damian (Wilson) drove a super race as well. I definitely think he’s the one to beat.”
2. Act Now (trainer Emma Stewart, driver Jodi Quinlan)
“He’s pretty underrated. He doesn’t really care too much, he’s pretty lazy and he just wins by as little as he can. He’s a great colt and he’s got a terrific record. He’s drawn to suit, fingers crossed he can use his speed early and hopefully hold Clayton, though I don’t think I can.”
4. Jacks Hawk (trainer Emma Stewart, driver David Moran)
“He’s been a bit of a handful the last couple of weeks and done a few things wrong. Hopefully we’ve got them straightened out this week, I was a little bit disappointed in him. He’s a lovely little colt.”
6. Go Dancing (trainer Clayton Tonkin, driver Kate Gath)
“His run last week was super, probably one of his better runs, so he’s definitely on the up.”
RACE 6: PRYDE’S EASIFEED 3YO FILLIES
3. Amelia Rose (trainer Emma Stewart, driver Jodi Quinlan)
“I was a little bit disappointed and so was Jodi. She loomed up on the turn and was doing it pretty easy, but she’s had a couple of little issues going on at the moment that we are trying to sort out. That’s why she mixes her form a little bit. There are two of her and hopefully the good one turns up this week.”
6. Techys Angel (trainer Emma Stewart, driver Kate Gath)
“She’s a lovely filly and she’s one of Clayton’s favourites. She was a little bit of a handful to get a hold of at the start because she was quite revvy and didn’t want to settle, but last week she settled terrific. She’s really fast, so that was the best Techys Angel and fingers crossed she puts it all together again this week. She’s a lovely filly and she’s got a real good chance.”
IRT Australia 3YO COLTS AND GELDINGS
2. Mirragon (trainer Emma Stewart, driver Amanda Turnbull)
“He’s one of my favourites. He’s not the greatest trier on earth, but that’s a little bit our felt trying to race Be Happy Mach all the time. We’re trying to get his confidence back and this time in he’s been really good. If he gets driven cold that suits him and he’s been racing really good. I think he’s got the draw to maybe cause an upset.
9. Mach Dan (trainer Emma Stewart, driver Greg Sugars)
“He’s always been a lovely horse, but this time in he’s getting better and better. He’s tradesman like, there’s nothing special about him and he’s not flashy or anything like that, but he just tends to get the job done.
12. Loorrim Lake (trainer Emma Stewart, driver David Moran)
“I really think Loorrim Lake went terrific last week. It was one of those races you couldn’t actually believe what was happening in the run. He was one of those who was a little bit unlucky, he’s definitely still my top pick.”