By Tayler Strong
Em Ay emphasised the loss of her sire, Rob Roy Mattgregor when the 2-year-old filly won at Forbury Park on Friday night.
Em Ay is the first New Zealand winner for her sire. She is from the first crop of Rob Roy Mattgregor, the sire of Cagney, a 2-year-old gelding out of Lafnatu who won at Albion Park (Brisbane) last month.
Rob Roy Mattgregor, who won 43 races and took a record of 1.49.6 in the United States, died after two seasons at stud.
The son of Matt’s Scooter out of Cheer Me Up, a three quarter sister to the great sire Western Ideal was imported to NZ by Robert McArdle, of Christchurch, who sold him to Brisbane Pastoral Limited.
Em Ay was bred by McArdle and trainer Bruce Negus, who races her with his wife, Colleen and Mesdames R H Garrett and H H Tangye.
Em Ay is one of two foals left by Gidget Bromac. Negus won races with Ay Em’s grand-dam, Gabrielle Rose and great grand-dam, Gilt Laughter. Robbie Close drove the winners, Zena Mac and Firebreak taking his tally for the season to 38.
Highview Illusion made an immediate return for new owner, Ray Chalklin, of Dunedin when the 3-year-old led throughout 2200m.
Danke, having his first start for the Danke For Coming syndicate and his first since joining the stable of Mark Jones, won the c1 trot from a 30m handicap.
The 7-year-old , who won two races when trained by Murray Edmonds, was secured by the syndicate a month ago and transferred to Jones.
Mr Handleman became the third winner from as many foals to race out of My Sharona. The 3-year-old by Stonebridge Regal is raced by his Edendale breeders, Al and Bruce Sinclair and trained at Wyndham by Brendon McLellan.
My Sharona won for the brothers when trained by McLellan and she has left winners, Havinaravup and Leigh Major for them with the same trainer.
The brothers have raced other winners Honiball, Rathbone, Not Holm, Glen Evander and The Hard Yards from the McLellan stable.
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