He has taken a big step towards his destiny, but talented youngster Emiliana still has a long way to go before he extends his family’s tradition.
Successful upon debut at Yarra Valley, Emiliana stems from a clan littered with top shelf performers.
By Art Major from Milagro, Emiliana is related to stars such as Stunin Cullen, Il Vicolo, The Unicorn, Gotta Go Cullen, Smooth Falcon, Reba Lord, Veste and Laurella.
Thrilled with the gelding’s victory, trainer Gary Quinlan believes Emiliana is capable of bigger wins.
“You can’t take much from a maiden two-year-old win, but everything he has done suggests there is a lot more to come from him,” Quinlan said.
“At this stage we have barely scratched the surface with him. He’s shown plenty of potential, so know we just have to hope he can fulfil it.”
Driven by Nathan Jack, Emiliana led throughout from barrier six to complete a soft nine-and-a-half metre win from Fleshing, with Pablo Santanna a metre-and-a-half away third.
“That was a pretty nice run,” Quinlan said. “He put in a roughie on the corner, but got himself balance and going again pretty quickly.
“He still hasn’t had the whip turned on him or the plugs pulled and has been doing it easy at the trials and now at his debut, so that’s another promising sign.”
With the Vicbred Super Series the main target, Quinlan will find a suitable lead-up race for the freshman.
“I’ll give him one more run then put him in a Sires’ heat,” Quinlan said. “If he can prove competitive in that series he also has the Breeders’ Crown towards the end of the season.”
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PAUL COURTS