The $3 million mare, Ernaux, is finally beginning to show her true capabilities and has secured another racing season following her victory at Royal Randwick today.
Under the guidance of trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald, Ernaux was afforded an ideal run and continued her rapid development with a dominant performance in the Laurel Oak Supporter of NJT Handicap over 1100 metres.
Despite being a valuable broodmare prospect due to her superb breeding, Waller is choosing to hold back from testing Ernaux at stakes level, even with her recent surge in form.
“Ernaux was nearly retired a few months ago but she has found some really good form in recent weeks,” Waller commented. “She has been up for a while but her improved form means she has probably earned herself another 12 months of racing.”
“It would be unfair to test her at stakes level now given she has had a fair bit of racing this campaign. But if we give her a break soon, then we could look at getting her to stakes level next preparation.”
Ernaux, the $4.20 favourite, started from the inside barrier and McDonald positioned her in third place behind the leaders. Entering the final stages, the mare surged between runners to narrowly defeat the consistently performing Kimberley Secrets ($12), winning by just under a length. West Of Dalby ($21) finished strongly for third.
McDonald noted that Ernaux performs well on firm tracks and is building confidence, having now secured her second city win from her last three starts this campaign.
Ernaux, a $3 million yearling purchase from the Inglis Easter Sale three years ago, is the progeny of Yarraman Park’s highly successful sire I Am Invincible and the Oakleigh Plate winner Booker.
She typically would have been the top lot at the sale, but that year saw the $10 million Pierro filly out of the legendary racemare Winx command a record $10 million, overshadowing other lots.
The Winx filly, named Quinceanera, unfortunately suffered an injury that prevented her from ever racing and has since been retired to stud.
Ernaux herself had appeared destined for the breeding barn after a solitary midweek maiden win from 16 starts. However, she has postponed her retirement, achieving recent wins at Randwick over 1200m and 1100m.
While Waller may have future stakes ambitions for Ernaux, Kembla Grange trainer Joseph Ible is setting his sights high this spring following Barrengarry’s impressive return to the track.
Barrengarry achieved his third victory from only six starts by producing a brilliant sprint fresh to win the Midway Handicap (1400m).
Jockey Zac Lloyd executed a perfectly timed finishing run on Barrengarry ($5.50), who closed strongly to defeat Vexxy ($9) by a margin exceeding a length. The early pacesetter, Felix Majestic ($3 favourite), managed to hold on for third place.
Ible indicated his plans to target Barrengarry towards the Group 3 $240,000 Coongy Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield on October 14.
“We thought about entering for the Cups this spring but decided against it,” Ible stated. “We feel the Coongy is the right race for this horse.”
Punters looking for the best racing odds can find them at Australian betting sites.