Sweet As Emm continued her impressive start to her career at Sandown Park tonight with a brilliant last-to-first victory in the night’s opening event.
Sent to the boxes as the $1.80 favourite following her brilliant victory in a maiden final last week, Sweet As Emm bombed the start to be last away. Accelerating quickly, she railed strongly to move into midfield through the first turn before weaving under the early leaders and power to the line, defeating Red Hot Chevy by three lengths and make it three wins from as many starts.
Her poor start came as no surprise to handler Brendan Pursell, but he was nonetheless full of praise after the run.
“The first time were brought her down here she missed it hopelessly,” he said.
“Then the next time she ran 5.14, then her first start she missed it then her last start she began OK. It’s all new to her so hopefully with a bit of experience she’ll get that right. She has good habits, she loves to get to the fence and she’s strong. She’s got everything going for her really.”
At just 19 months of age, Sweet As Emm is the first greyhound from Born Ali’s second litter to hit the track. Her first litter produced versatile top grade chasers Benali and Barcali – both of whom have produced wins over all three city distances – and are also trained by Robert Britton.
“Noel Mugavin does a great job, and his breed – they’re all 500m dogs when you get them. Hopefully they can get a bit further and she looks like she will. She was always the stand out by a mile from the litter, when we trialled them she was always 7 or 8 lengths quicker than the rest.”
Despite her abundant talent, Purcell indicated that the kennel would take a patient approach with her campaign and not be tempted to take on the country’s best sprinters in the upcoming spring carnival, culminating with the TAB Melbourne Cup on 23 November.
“She’s got it all ahead of her as long as we keep her sound she’ll be alright. At this stage I think we’ll keep her going through her grades and wait for some bitches races later in the year, races like the Laurels.”
Paw note: Sweet As Emm’s sire, My Bro Fabio, also sired the winner of race 3 (Zipping Monty) and race 4 (Zipping Bomber)
Sweet As Emm comes from last to maintain her undefeated record
