Listed RM Ansett Classic, $140,000, 2415m

Race Summary

Progressive staying mare High Emocean (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) has broken through for her first stakes win in emphatic fashion, bolting to an easy win in the Listed RM Ansett Classic at Mornington.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained 4-year-old made it five wins from 11 starts when swooping from back in the field to easily account for the favourite Tavirun (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ{) and Eureka Street (Street Cry {Ire}).

Ridden by Jye McNeil, High Emocean settled back in the field, but when the tempo dropped midway through the race, McNeil got her into the fight. When Tavirun took control of the race at the top of the straight, High Emocean unleashed an impressive finished and won by a clear 4.5l in the end.

Co-trainer Eustace said post-race, a race like the Listed Sandown Cup might be a suitable target for the mare later in the spring, while also eyeing a 2800 metre race on Melbourne Cup day.

Pedigree Notes

High Emocean was an NZ$80,000 purchase for John Foote Bloodstock/Darren Weir at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka, where she was offered by Wentwood Grange.

She is a half-sister to Listed winner Elate (NZ) (Savabeel) as well as four-time winner Diamondsandbubbles (Commands). Their dam, High Joy (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}), is an unraced three-quarter sister to Group 2 winner Hidden Asset (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and half-sister to Emperor Bonaparte (NZ) (Montjeu {Ire}).

Champion Bonecrusher (NZ) (Pag-Asa) also features in the pedigree, being a half-brother to the second dam, the stakes-placed Endless Joy (NZ) (Centaine).

High Joy has a yearling filly by Iffraaj (GB) and visited Savabeel last spring before heading to Australia this spring.