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First Winner for Churchill Downs

5th Feb 2011

Breednet - Tara Madgwick - Friday, 4 February 2011

Young Blue Gum Farm based sire Churchill Downs sired his first winner when the Anthony Cummings trained filly Emerald Downs scored an impressive win at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

A half-sister to dual Group I winner Turffontein, Emerald Downs finished down the track when making her debut with an unplaced effort in the Listed MRC Blue Diamond Preview, but bounced back here to show her true ability.

She swept to the lead on the turn and raced clear to win the 1200 metre event by a dominant two lengths.

“We know she can gallop, you just disregard that first run,” said stable foreman Graham Woolston.

“She’s only small and really needs to grow a bit so will probably go to the paddock for a break.

“She’s won a city race at her second start, so it’s only up from here.”

A $135,000 purchase from the Blue Gum draft at the 2010 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Emerald Downs (pictured as a yearling) is from terrific producer Spirit of Grace, whose current yearling, a colt by Churchill Downs will be offered at the 2011 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale as Lot 293.

Emerald Downs is the first winner for Group II winning Danehill (USA) son Churchill Downs, who has a sizable draft of 28 youngsters for the 2011 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.