Enormous Effort Emma

Continuing a good week for Fortuna Racing, Emma Twigg (3 f El Roca – Megara, by Encosta de Lago) recorded a debut victory in the $18,500 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1150 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses) on 6 March at Te Aroha.

Managed by John Galvin, Fortuna Racing has formed a longstanding relationship with Te Akau of more than 20 years. Galvin and David Ellis CNZM have bought horses in conjunction at yearling sales in New Zealand and Australia, highlighted by 14-time Group One winner and dual Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands).

Trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson prepared Vivacious (Dundeel) to win fresh-up on 4 March at Riccarton, and Emma Twigg further bolstered the strike rate when recording the 12th win from 45 starts this season.

Both parties will be hoping the success continues through to Champions Day on Saturday at Ellerslie, where unbeaten two-year-old filly Lara Antipova (Russian Revolution), a last start winner in the Group 2 J Swap Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), is hotly supported to become the ninth winner for Te Akau in the $550,000 Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m).

Te Akau already had experience with the family Emma Twigg, having trained five-time winning half-brother Accidental Tourist (Telperion) for the Schick family at Windsor Park Stud, while the pair are siblings to Listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m) winner Red Striker (Red Giant).

Ellis CNZM purchased Accidental Tourist for $80,000 at the 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Westbury Stud, and from the same draft he and Galvin bought Emma Twigg for $105,000 at the Karaka 2024 – Book 1 Sale. 

Having finished strongly in line for the minors when trialling on 24 February at Tauranga, Emma Twigg combined again with stable rider Opie Bosson ONZM for a strong first-up win.

Away well but caught a touch wide near the pace, Emma Twigg was presented into the clear on straightening and kept winding up with a strong finish to end up scoring comfortably by a neat length.

“She didn’t have all favours in running, but Opie (Bosson) kept her balanced and once she got into her work she won really well,” Walker said.

“Given her pedigree, she’s taken a bit of time to develop, but the owners have been patient and I’m sure they’ll be thrilled with the way she won at her first race day start.

“She’s a promising type of filly and great to get another winner for John & Jessica Galvin and Fortuna.”

On Soft5 footing, she ran 1150 metres in 1:09.0, last 600m in 35.1 (approx.), and paid $5.30 & $2.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

“I was watching the race from the stand where she appeared to be in a good spot, and it was only afterwards when watching the replay that I realised she was three-wide,” Galvin said.

“She still had a bit to do at the 250 metres, but she knuckled down and was really strong to the line over the concluding stages without any significant pressure. 

“The trainers chose the race for her, but excellent to get the $20,000 Pearl Series Bonus on top of the winning stake and it’s a nice addition for the owners.

“It’s all a bit much to take in, but the winners have been coming thick and fast and she looks to have a good future.”

Galvin also commented on the naming of Emma Twigg, after triple Olympic Gold Medalist Emma Twigg (MNZM), a legendary Kiwi rower and household name.

“At the time we bought her coincided with Emma winning Gold and we’d had a history of giving our horses stable names of famous female athletes, for example Melody Belle was Valerie (Adams).

“I messaged Emma, telling her I’d followed her career closely and that she was extremely brave and courageous, and very well known, while asking if we could name the filly after her.”

Regarding the prospects of Lara Antipova, Galvin said: “I hope we haven’t used all our luck, and my thoughts are that she should be very hard to beat, but it is Group One racing and stranger things have happened.

“The form analysts and betting market won’t have her anything but a dominant winner.”

Emma Twigg was strapped by Tayla Melvin. 

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz