Emperor to reign supreme at Eagle Farm

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Matthew Dunn is hopeful Emperor can reign supreme when the gelding chases back-to-back wins at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Emperor - a Ryan Maloney mount in the Class 6 Handicap - has won four times from only 11 starts but will be stepping out to 1400 metres for the first time.

The four-year-old is coming off a last start win in a Benchmark race over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm on January 20.

Dunn is just glad to see Emperor racing again after the son of I Am Invincible’s career was at the crossroads after fracturing his pelvis in a barrier trial mishap at Rosehill in August, 2022.

“He fractured his pelvis as a three-year-old at the Rosehill trials and just needed time,” Dunn said.

“There’s no real operation horses have for that type of injury.”

Emperor had showed all the right signs of being a top spring contender that year after placing in the Breeders' Plate at Randwick on debut as a two-year-old before another placing at Randwick at the start of 2022.

He misfired for the first time when ninth in the $2 million Inglis Millenium at Randwick before tragedy struck in the Rosehill trial while being prepared for the Sydney spring carnival.

“He had a long time off after fracturing his pelvis but he came back and won two trials at Ballina which was a good sign he had made a full recovery,” Dunn said.

Emperor, whose mother Jolie Bay was Group 1 placed, was purchased for $460,000 as a yearling at the Sydney Easter sales.

“I’ve always liked him and he’s always been a good horse but he’s had a few bumps along the way,” Dunn said.

“The test for him on Saturday is 1400 metres and if he gets it, he might aim for the Country Championships in Sydney.

“The first heat is at Lismore in two weeks but he needs to show he can run the trip to go there.

“At one stage, I never thought he’d ever get 1400 metres but if he does it’ll open a few doors for him.”

Dunn believes a return to the country environment at his Murwillumbah stables has greatly benefited Emperor.

“He started off in Sydney but he really likes being in the country,” he said.

Dunn will wait and see how Emperor handles his first assignment over 1400 metres before deciding his future past the Country Championships at Randwick on April 1.