Eagle Farm races: Emerald Kingdom finds his groove after slow start

Rob Heathcote praised track rider Justin Anderson for the transformation of Emerald Kingdom, who will be given his chance at the winter carnival after winning again at Eagle Farm.

Emerald Kingdom and Justin Anderson. Picture: Trackside Photography

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Rob Heathcote praised track rider Justin Anderson for the transformation of Emerald Kingdom, who will now be given his chance at the winter carnival after making it six on end at Eagle Farm.

Emerald Kingdom will head to Washpool Lodge this week and be brought back with a race like the Glasshouse at the end of the carnival in mind.

“He’s a very exciting horse,” Heathcote said. “We have a serious racehorse now and there might be a good race in him.”

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Justin Anderson has worked wonders with Emerald Kingdom. Picture: Trackside Photography

Formerly a rogue to look after, Emerald Kingdom’s surge through the classes has coincided with his behaviour improving at the races and at home. Earlier this preparation he kicked a fence down before winning at Eagle Farm, but he’s far more relaxed now.

“I put a lot of that down to Justin,” Heathcote said. “He rides him work and has spent a lot of time working with this horse. You can see how attached he is to the horse now – he had tears in his eyes.”

Too GOOD!

Emerald Kingdom makes it six wins in a row in the TAB Hcp @EagleFarmRacing @BrisRacingClub @RaceQLD today!

6️⃣6️⃣6️⃣6️⃣6️⃣6️⃣ pic.twitter.com/1zJW6Cub9Z

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 7, 2020

Jockey Robbie Fradd said Emerald Kingdom knuckled coming out of the barriers, but recovered quickly.

“He does it at both ends and is stepping up another level each time,” Fradd said.

Tumbler Ridge landed some good wagers when he staved off betting wobbler Bellissimi Amici to win the 2YO Handicap (1300m).

Tumbler Ridge was trading around the $7 mark yesterday morning, but firmed through the morning to open $5 and then trim up to an eventual starting price of $3.20.

Robbie Fradd steers Emerald Kingdom to victory at Eagle Farm. Picture: AAP

Steve O’Dea’s stable representative Matt Hoysted said Tumbler Ridge was likely to start again in a fortnight over 1400m.

“We had him among our top couple of two-year-olds early in the season,” Hoysted said. “Things didn’t go our way first up, so it’s good to get back a bit of redemption.”