Written by Paul Vettise
Prime Thoroughbreds’ Joe O’Neill had a tear in his eye as the progressive Miss Divine Em (Super One) completed a hat-trick of wins with success against a competitive line-up of 3-year-old fillies at The Valley.
O’Neill was delighted with the filly’s victory on Saturday and served to turn back the clock and revive memories of a mare that put the syndication company on the map.
“It’s pretty emotional as it’s 20 years ago almost to the day that I won my first race in Melbourne with Calming. She was a really good filly and my first good horse, she won at this meeting in a 1000 metre fillies’ race when it was held at Caulfield,” O’Neill said.
“She went on to win in Brisbane and Adelaide so to win this race is a huge thrill. She has showed us a lot and she’s Super One’s first metropolitan winner.”
Super One, sire of Miss Divine Em | Standing at Newgate Farm
Bred and sold by Newgate, Miss Divine Em was a $42,500 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale buy for O’Neill and is a son of Manhattan Angel (Statue Of Liberty {USA}), who is out of a half-sister to the stakes winners Seattle Ice (Xaar {GB}) and Profit Report (Noverre {USA}).
O’Neill has enjoyed an outstanding association with Miss Divine Em’s trainer Patrick Payne, with their flagship performer the multiple Group winner Rubisaki (Rubick).
“I bought him 21 yearlings that have raced, 17 of them are now winners and won 52 races. They cost about $1.2 million and returned close to $5 million,” O’Neill said.
“I bought him 21 yearlings that have raced, 17 of them are now winners and won 52 races. They cost about $1.2 million and returned close to $5 million.” - Joe O’Neill
“He’s a great trainer Patrick Payne, he's not a good trainer he’s a great trainer. I think he is the most polished trainer in Australia.
“He can train 2-year-olds, he’s got this filly to go to town for the first time and win, he can win the Grand Annual and he can win Magic Millions Sprints.
“He’s got Rubisaki, who was probably the best 3-year-old filly in Australia last season when she won six out of six. He’s an absolute super star.”
Future plans for Miss Divine Em, the winner of three of her four starts, will be discussed in the coming days.
“We’ll sit down and have a chat, we don’t like to push our horses too much. We’ll have a look and see what’s coming up and it’s all ahead of her,” O’Neill said.
“She’s a beautiful, strong filly and that will really hold her in good stead going forward. She’s a lovely sort and I’m absolutely thrilled.”
Miss Divine Em kept within touch of the leaders and she finished strongly for rider Billy Egan who went into the clear to account for Wide Awake (Not A Single Doubt) and Miss Bosetti (Snitzel).
The favourite Peggy Selene (Rubick) led before she was swamped and finished sixth and less than 1l off the winner.
