Veteran mare Lekvarte ($18) delivered a stirring performance to claim the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Tuesday, rewarding the Joe Pride stable with another feature win and setting up a potential farewell tilt at Group 1 level.
With Josh Parr in the saddle, Lekvarte powered home late on the Heavy 8 track, showing a turn of foot rarely seen from her on rain-affected ground.
The six-year-old daughter of Reliable Man had previously struggled in the wet but defied that reputation to nab race favourite Lazzura ($2.50F) right on the line, winning by a short head at $19 with .
“She sprinted incredibly well,” Pride said.
“She’s been such a reliable mare, and with the Chairman’s Sale coming up, this win only adds to her profile. She’ll go to the Queen of the Turf next and it’ll be a sad day when she finishes, but she’s still got something to give.”
Parr, who has had a long association with the grey mare, said she gave him an electric feel when peeling off heels and letting down strongly inside the final 300m.
“Joe was confident heading in,” Parr said.
“Once I got clear running, she just surged. She gave me a real buzz — it’s fun when they do that.”
Harlem Queen ($8.50) boxed on gamely to grab third, 1.75 lengths off the winner, while Coeur Volante had little room in the straight and finished fourth in a blanket finish behind the placegetters.
Now a three-time Group 3 winner, Lekvarte’s tally stands at 10 wins from 36 starts and over $1.1 million in prizemoney.
She has already cemented herself as a valuable broodmare prospect, and a bold showing in the Group 1 Queen of the Turf (1600m) on April 12 could be the perfect swansong.
The top horse racing bookmakers currently have her labelled a $21 hope in the Queen of the Turf Stakes on April 12.
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