Josh Parr has been left searching for superlatives to describe unbeaten colt Emirate after the youngster overcame a buffeting at the top of the straight to score a commanding Rosehill victory.
A $1 million Magic Millions yearling purchase, the son of Extreme Choice is showing enough promise to suggest he can live up to his price tag, taking his record to two wins from as many starts in the Ranvet Handicap (1300m) on Saturday.
It followed an equally impressive debut win at Warwick Farm when James Mcdonald was in the saddle but with the leading hoop in Brisbane for the Queensland Derby meeting, Parr picked up the winning Rosehill mount and came away suitably impressed.
“What an easy horse to ride. He just bounced and put himself in the perfect position,” Parr said.
“He is a very nice horse.”
Parr settled Emirate ($2.70 betting fav) fourth on the fence and had him poised to pounce at top of the straight before bumping with Jay Ford’s mount Commanding Artist, who was weakening.
But the Chris Waller-trained two-year-old didn’t flinch, regathering himself to quickly descend on leader Sovereign Hill ($6) and surge clear for a 2-3/4 length victory, with Mr Artemisia ($14) an eye-catching third another long neck away.
“There was a bit of nonsense at the top of the straight, Jay Ford’s horse was wandering around and we made contact, which just upset him,” Parr said.
“(But) when he went through the gap and I found clear air, my gosh, we all saw it. It was very impressive.”
Damien Fitton, representing the Waller stable, said Emirate was living up to the promise he had demonstrated on the track at home.
“He has been a tough horse ever since he came into the stable and he is continuing to rise through the grades,” Fitton said.
“It was quite heavy at Warwick Farm last start so he has had the benefit of being on a heavy track and we were quietly confident coming into today.”
Emirate firmed into an $8 equal second favourite with betting apps for the Group 1 J J Atkins (1600m) in Brisbane, although Waller indicated earlier this week the colt was more likely to be spelled to prepare for the spring.
Stablemate Mr Artemisia is also nominated for the Atkins where he is an $11 chance and could head there depending on how he comes through Saturday’s run.
“Off that run today, Mr Artemisia was hitting the line strongly and he could be a candidate if he can get into the field,” Fitton said.
“As always, we will see how they pull up from today and then make decisions.”