Newcastle preview: A confident Empress Of Japan is ready to rule

Daily Telegraph

22-04-2025

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Jockey Keagan Latham was thrilled to see Empress Of Japan return to form with a booming victory last start and feels she can replicate it when she heads up the motorway to Newcastle.
The Michael Freedman-trained filly had finished just behind the placegetters at Kembla at her first two runs back this campaign before dropping back to country grade at Goulburn and storming home from near last to beat Zipitilist over 1400m.
'We always thought a little bit of her, myself and Michael,' said Latham.
'She won her first start at Gosford and then she ran in the Percy Sykes at Randwick.
'Unfortunately, she was taken out with a bit of interference and I think it knocked her confidence a little bit in the prep thereafter.
'Even though it was only a small margin in the end, she had the best part of eight to ten lengths to make up at the top of the straight.
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'She travelled well but when I pushed the button, she really let down with a terrific turn of foot.'
Empress Of Japan can potentially earn herself a shot at a black type race over the winter with a win in the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1500m) where she had barrier 2.
'The key is she likes to be ridden with a bit of cuddle to allow her to come with one strong run,' Latham said.
'While she has a good draw this week, I don't think she will be any closer than midfield and have one last shot at them.
'The long straight at Newcastle allows her to do that.'
Latham and Freedman also combine with lightly-raved gelding Gone To Cape York in the Class 1 Handicap (1250m).
The three-year-old scored on debut at Nowra under Latham before a three length seventh at Wyong last start when ridden by Zac Lloyd.
'It was a good effort to win on debut because he's not really an 1100m horse and he took the length of the straight to get his head in front,' said Latham.
'At Wyong, he didn't have much room in the straight. He was just among horses and could get a real crack.
'From the draw, he should get plenty of room and the length of the straight at Newcastle is going to be his best advantage.'
Latham rode the John Sargent-trained Khant Fail to back-to-back placings at Newcastle and Wyong last preparation and is looking forward to renewing their association in the Maiden Plate (1850m).
The four-year-old daughter of New Zealand and Australian Derbies and Caulfield Cup winner Mongolian Khan has been good in finishing third in both runs this time in over 1500m an 1600m and will appreciate the step up in trip.
'She gave me a nice feel last prep but she was a big baby. She is a tall animal and definitely needed to grow into herself,' he said.
'She's had two this time in over short distances and I thought she has run pretty well.
'She ran well at Newcastle last prep and steps up to a more suitable trip this week.
'John is very good with staying fillies and from barrier 1, we will have her a close as she is comfortable and I think she can run quite a sneaky race.'
Latham also has two rides to local trainer Paul Perry on Passalacqua in the Maiden Plate (1250m) and debutant Seven Wonders in the 2YO Maiden Plate (900m).
'I think Passalacqua has matured a lot more this prep and he can run a sneaky race,' he said.
'I haven't ridden Seven Wonders but you can never under estimate Paul Perry's horses, especially at home.'
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Trainer Kerry Parker was pleased with the way Equilibrist reacted with the blinkers on or the first time at his most recent start and feels he can back it up with another big run.
The four-year-old was only fair in beating two home when resuming at Kembla last month which prompted Parker to make the gear change.
Equilibrist went back from a wide gate to settle near last before coming inside runners on the bend and squeezing through a gap late to finish a length third behind Eclair Awesome over 1600m at Gosford on April 10.
The four-year-old looks suited stepping up in trip in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1850m) with Jason Collett aboard.
'His first-up run was just a pass mark. He seemed to be floating a bit too so I decided to put the blinkers on to help him focus a bit more,' said Parker.
'He raced really well with the blinkers on. He raced between horses and hit the line well showing a bit of determination.
'I was really proud of his run.
'If he can reproduce his Gosford run over the 1850m, you would like to think he will put himself in the finish again.'
A little rain in Newcastle will also be a positive for the son of Trapeze Artist.
The gelding won his maiden on a Heavy 8 at Kembla last October and it was a Soft 6 at Gosford last start.
'I think getting his toe in the ground is beneficial to him,' Parker said.
Joining Equilibrist on the trip from Kembla is four-year-old mare Audenzia who contests the Maiden Plate (1850m).
The daughter of Brazen Beau kicked off her preparation with a nice second behind Montigo Bay over 1500m on her home track on February 25 before a fourth to Queen Strada over the same track and distance 17 days later.
She then three weeks between runs when seventh behind Empuse over 1500m at Hawkesbury on April 5.
'She is looking for the longer trip now,' said Parker.
'Her last start at Hawkesbury, she was just at her top the whole way and couldn't get into that really nice rhythm.
'She is a little bit one-paced and the 1850m looks to be up her alley.
'If she can get herself in a handy position up on speed, she will keep grinding away.'