TESTA Rossa son Speediness is closer than ever to a Group 1 win when he lines up in the VRC Emirates Stakes (1600m) to end the annual Cup carnival at Flemington tomorrow.
Speediness has raced 25 times for 7 wins and 11 placings with earnings of $649,222.
Already a winner of the Group 3 VRC Bobbie Lewis Stakes, the Colin Scott trained 6YO has been somewhat unlucky not to have won all three starts this prep namely the Rupert Clark, Toorak Handicap and Crystal Mile.
“He’s due. He’s due a turn of luck. It would be a nice race to get all the luck in,” Scott told AAP.
Scott has done a magnificent job of managing Speediness’ career but for him, it’s more a labour of love than anything.
“He’s like one of my kids, he really is,” he said.
“I’ve had him since he was a baby so I’m just proud of him doing what he’s doing now.
“To have a horse of his calibre, I know people with 35 horses in work that haven’t got one anywhere near as good as him.
“I’m under no illusions that the chances of me getting another one as good as him are pretty slim so I’m just enjoying the ride.”
Speediness’ very presence in the Emirates line-up rekindles memories of what is popularly assumed to his sire’s greatest Group 1 win on his half dozen majors.
Testa Rossa drew barrier 16 of 16 and had topweight of 59kg in the 2000 Emirates.
The champ only had two behind on him at the top of the turn but gathered in his rivals before streaking away to a famous 1.3-lens win.
