By Adam Hamilton
THIS time last year Yankee Rockstar was fighting desperately for his life.
Now he’s one of the most exciting emerging pacing talents in this part of the world.
That’s why the sparingly-raced five-year-old holds a special place in the heart of trainer Emma Stewart.
“After the Chariots this time last year he go so sick we thought we were going to lose him,” Stewart said.
“When you consider it’s only a year ago and how far he’s come this campaign, it’s pretty remarkable.”
And Stewart is sure the best is still to come.
“This was about giving him a foundation for next season,” she said.
“We picked our races carefully, but did give him that crack at the good ones in the Hunter Cup when he ran really well.
“He’ll go for a spell soon, possibly without another run, and we’re really excited about next season.”
Yankee Rockstar won his first Group 1 when he scored very impressively against the likes of Messini and Im Corzin Terror in last Saturday night’s Cranbourne Cup.
“It wasn’t the strongest Cranbourne Cup, especially with Ohoka Punter being a late scratching, but the way he won it from the back row impressed us,” Stewart said.
There is a chance he could have one more run before a spell and that would be in Saturday week’s Group 2 Kilmore Cup.
“The connections are keen, but we’ll see how he is over the new few days,” Stewart said.
Stewart and co-trainer Clayton Tonkin had three wins on Cranbourne Cup night. The others came with claiming Goodtime Mike and pint-sized but exciting juvenile Our Little General in the Sapling Stakes.
Our Little General and stablemate The Storm Inside look the two best juveniles exposed so far in Australia this season.
But Stewart said there were just two of a yet another exciting juvenile crop in her stable.
“We’ve got another couple of really nice colts in Somewhere Secret and Ferdinand, as well a filly called Our Celebrity. Keep your eye out for them soon,” she said.
The always strong stable is about to be stronger than ever with a long list of sidelined stars like Philadelphia Man, Guaranteed, Restrepo, Heavens Trend, Shadow Sax , Ideal For Real and Delight Me eyeing racetrack returns.
“Philadelphia Man is about two months away, while Guaranteed and Restrepo are a bit longer, but coming along well,” she said.
“Heavens Trend won a trial at Ballarat last week and is ready, so is Shadow Sax.
“Ideal For Real will trial in two weeks and Delight Me is about a month away.
“It’s pretty exciting to have a look through the barn at the moment.”
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