‘Time has done her the world of good’: Emirates Park unveils promising filly Esraar at Sandown

With Group 1-winner Manaal and a host of black type performers, it’s been an excellent season for the Murrurundi-based Emirates Park. But another flying filly is about to hit the track.

Patience could be rewarded with speedy Emirates Park-bred filly Esraar to debut on Saturday at Sandown.

The two-year-old daughter of I Am Invincible, out of Maroon Bay, has displayed a sharp turn of foot, out of the barriers especially, in three jumpout wins.

Trained by Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, Esraar stepped out for the first time in a heat last October at Flemington before a minor setback resulted in the filly being tipped out for a break.

Emirates Park general manager Bryan Carlson said Esraar benefited with the extra time for maturity.

“She’s been one of those fillies from when she was born – an early type, from a very strong family – we were always going to keep her to race and she progressed,” Carlson said.

“The time has done her the world of good, she’ll be a natural jump and run horse I’d say, she has shown enough speed. I think she’ll run a good race.”

A great start with 2yos this season for EP homebreds. Manaal, Bodyguard, Ameena, and Stanley Express all bred and carrying EP Brand. Congrats to connections and also stallion farms allowing us to breed to these good stallions. #BuyEmiratespic.twitter.com/Qq3JEllXjd

— Emirates Park (@EmiratesPark) April 28, 2024

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Esraar has been kept safe in the TAB market, $4.80 to $4.20 since the market opened.

Group 3 runner-up Flattered, placed in three of five starts to date, all in stakes company, is a $3.60 favourite from equal second elects She’s Got Pizzazz and Esraar.

“I let her talk (expectations), hopefully in time she can be a black type filly,” Carlson said.

“It’s going to give us a good guide to where she’s at, it’s not an easy task Saturday, there’s some good form lines there.”

Esraar, an Arabic name meaning stubborn, persistent, secret and mystery, is a three-quarter sister to Listed-winner Ebhaar, trained by Peter and Paul Snowden.

Two-year-old star Manaal won the Group 1 Inglis Sires’ Produce Stakes for Emirates Park this season, while smart colt Bodyguard has been successful at Group 3 and Listed level.

What a finish in the G1 Sires’ 😮

There was nothing between Traffic Warden and Manaal, with the filly the victor!@[e-mail]/HMOsKmsn4X

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 6, 2024

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Group 3 runner-up Ameena showed early promise with two wins to start her career.

Emirates Park bred and raced 2018 Golden Slipper winner Estijaab, whose Frankel daughter Ejaabiyah was runner-up in a Listed race in England last weekend.

Exciting 3YO filly in 2nd in the Listed Newbury Fillies Trial overnight for @EmiratesPark by Frankel from Golden Slipper winner Estijaab, only her 2nd start! https://t.co/2mAS4Aq2p3

— James Dawson (@DawsoJames) May 18, 2024

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“We find at the moment in the market it’s cheaper to breed them (nice fillies) than buy them,” Carlson said.

“We try to keep some nice fillies every year to race and hopefully put in our broodmare band at the end.”

Originally published as ‘Time has done her the world of good’: Emirates Park unveils promising filly Esraar at Sandown