International Stakes Treble For Holy Roman Emperor
Numerian (8g Holy Roman Emperor – Delicate Charm, by High Chaparral) became the first of three international Stakes winners by Holy Roman Emperor on Saturday when taking the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes at the Sunshine Coast.
Jamie Mott steered Annabel Neasham’s charge to a length and a half victory in the nine furlong contest, with another short head back to Group 1 winning favourite Kovalica in third.
“I love this horse so much,” Neasham declared after capturing the $500,000 prize for the fourth consecutive year. Numerian is now a three-time Group 2 winner for Neasham and Teme Valley Racing, for whom he has also twice placed at Group 1 level. The Whisperview Trading-bred bay joined Neasham from Joseph O’Brien, for whom he beat Sir Dragonet (Camelot) in the Listed Devoy Stakes
Later that day at Lingfield, the progressive Great Generation (3f Holy Roman Emperor – Adutchgirl, by Dutch Art) defeated her elders in the Group 3 Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes.
Marco Ghiani was forced to bide his time on the Marco Botti-trained filly as he waited for a gap to appear, with his mount running on strongly when clear to lead by a neck on the line.
“I think seven furlongs is as far as she wants to go,” Botti later commented. “We did have her in the German Guineas, thinking that if we were to stretch her out to a mile, that would be the race, but I think we’ll concentrate on six and seven furlongs. She’s not in the Commonwealth Cup, maybe we could think about supplementing, but we’ll see.”
Owned by Scuderia Sagam, Great Generation had proven useful as a juvenile, finishing second in a Group 3 at the end of last season.
Musical Rhapsody (5m Holy Roman Emperor – Colour Rhapsody, by Rip Van Winkle) completed Holy Roman Emperor’s notable treble when gaining a deserved black-type win in the Santa Barbara Stakes.
It marked a second success for the mare since joining Phil D’Amato and owner Michael House, for whom she previously placed at Listed and Grade 3 level. The daughter of Holy Roman Emperor was purchased privately after recording her third win for Gavin Cromwell and owner/breeder Mrs Helen Keaveney.