Second behind Soxagon in the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes and the $200,000 The Buffering at his past two starts, Emerald Kingdom had his moment in the sun in Saturday's Listed Sunshine Coast Cup.
Making nearly all the running under Michael Rodd, the thoroughly game son of Bryannbo's Gift kept up a relentless gallop to defeat the So You Think mare Splendoronthegrass by a short-neck with a short-half-head back to the 7yo Hard Spun (USA) mare Sofie's Gold Class in third.
With his first stakes success, the Robert Heathcote-trained gelding advances his record to nine wins, two seconds and three thirds from 22 starts with earnings of $362,575.
“The form has stood up. He has been racing really well,” Heathcote said.
“Soxagon raced well in the Magic Millions where my guy wasn’t eligible, so this was a lovely fall back option.
“We have been coming up here for years, so it is with pride I take home the Sunshine Coast Cup.
“A big cheerio to Ann Marie and Bob (Rutley) from Shipton Lodge in NSW. My wife Vicki leased the horse off them.
Emerald Kingdom is a full brother to Steel Frost who also won nine races including the Listed SAJC City of Marion Stakes and Listed City of Adelaide Hcp.
They are out of the Commands mare Horshoe who only had the three foals, all by of Bryannbo's Gift, and all were winners.
A half-sister to the Listed MRC Debutant Stakes winner Eramore (Stratum), Horshoe is out of the Listed Dark Jewel Classic winner Romare Marscay.
Emerald Kingdom is the second stakes-winner for Bryannbo's Gift.
A stakes-placed son of Zabeel and the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate winner Dantelagh, Bryannbo's Gift left 76 live foals in nine seasons at stud.
He died in 2019.
