Emirates Park tackled the Group II Darley Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill with two high-class homebred daughters of Tassort, and it was Ameena’s time to steal the limelight from Group 1 winner Manaal.
In a heart-stopping finish, James McDonald timed his run to perfection on the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained filly to edge out Godolphin’s Two Darn Hot (GB) filly Silmarillion by a short-half-head, with the topweight Manaal losing no admirers, a head back in third.
The tough Rubick filly Erno’s Cube came from last to finish fourth.
The winner of her first two starts at Bendigo and Caulfield, Ameena was a gallant second in the Group III TBV Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Flemington before finishing her two-year-old season when unplaced in the Group II Percy Sykes Stakes.
Anthony Freedman said Ameena had taken great benefit from spelling in Queensland.
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uo;We took quite a few up to Queensland this year, which worked well for us,” Freedman said.
“The winters are much harsher in Melbourne, so we like to get the better ones away.
“She came here and presented well today. There was enough speed for her to finish off.
“She won her first two starts, leading or right on pace, but I've never really thought that’s how she would race, so it opens up some options for her.
“I think Michael's (Freedman, Manaal's trainer) will send me home. I'm living with him at the moment and he’s already told me it’s my shout.”
James McDonald remarked on how the winner improved after following a spell.
“She's improved a lot since the last time I rode her; she's come on immensely,” he said.
Ameena is the first winner for Emaan, a winning half-sister by Harbour Watch (IRE) to the dam of Group III Gold Coast Guineas winner Marboosha.
Emaan's dam Boom Time Savings (Secret Saving) was runner-up in the Group II Reisling Slipper and Group II Silver Slipper Slipper and was fourth in the Group 1 Golden Slipper.
Emaan has a yearling sister to Ameena and was covered by Dubious last spring.
Ameena is the second stakes winner for the First-Season Sire runner-up Tassort, who stands the season at Newgate Farm for $38,500.
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