Seventh Group One Winner for Mastercraftsman
Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman are likely to be scouring Australian racing programs for tough six year-old Saint Emilion (6g Mastercraftsman x Roseario, by Pentire) following the grand front-runner’s first Group I success at Ellerslie on Saturday.
The Cambridge trainers will be seriously tempted to look further afield after they produced the grey for a career-best performance in the Group I Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m).
“We’ll see what’s about and think about Sydney and Brisbane, we’ll be looking at all the options,” Forsman said.
Saint Emilion coasted along in his customary role in front under jockey Leith Innes and he held a strong gallop to the post for the 13th win of his career.
“It worked out perfectly and Leith rode him a treat, in that mood he’s hard to catch,” Forsman said.
“He was just cruising and he really deserved that.”
Saint Emilion was one of three runners in the race for the stable, but Lizzie L’Amour and Nicoletta failed to run up to their best form and were unplaced.
“They were both disappointing and maybe victims of a tracks that has dried out,” Forsman said.
By contrast, the going was ideal for Saint Emilion and Innes said the son of Mastercraftsman had the race sewn up a long way out.
“At the 1200m I felt pretty confident. He was enjoying his work. Murray and Andrew always have them very fit and it’s great to pick up a Group One for them.
“He’s a grand old horse and he horse deserved it.”
Saint Emilion is the seventh Group I winner worldwide for Mastercraftsman, who shuttled to New Zealand for several seasons, and is from four time winner Roseario, a half-sister by Pentire to stakes-winner Raw Instinct.