Scarlet Rain has stamped herself as a leading chance of success in the Golden Slipper for Gai Waterhouse this afternoon; completing an impressive start-to-finish performance to win the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m).
Scarlet Rain was far too good for her rivals in the Sweet Embrace Stakes this afternoon. Photo: Steve Hart
Scarlet Rain more than stamped herself as a filly to follow with two wins from as many starts leading into the Sweet Embrace Stakes but undoubtedly faced her biggest task to date in the Group 2 race.
Jumping from the gates well, jockey Kathy O’Hara allowed the Manhattan Rain filly to stride forward and immediately take a position on pace, setting only a fair tempo for the field of 12.
Offered a clear racing line upon arriving at the final straight, Scarlet Rain mustered a particularly impressive turn of foot; pulling clear of the pack to finish two lengths in the fore of In The Vanguard.
Waterhouse was thrilled with Scarlet Rain’s performance to win the Sweet Embrace Stakes and confirmed the 2016 Golden Slipper will be the major target for the two-year-old.
“Does the slipper fit? Yes!” Waterhouse said after the race.
“Let the punters show it. All I know is that this filly keeps winning races.
“When she gets under a bit of pressure she just has that explosion. I said that to Cathy – She’ll just cruise along in front with her little action but then just goes.”
O’Hara delivered a calm performance aboard Scarlet Rain to win the Sweet Embrace Stakes and was pleased to repay Waterhouse with the win.
“It was lovely,” O’Hara said.
“Gai gave me a ride last weekend and was really happy with the way I rode it and it’s always lovely to get on Gai’s two-year-olds, they’re always so well educated.
“She’s had two wins this filly and the only question today was if she’d run the 1200m, but she sprinted great and ran it out strong.
“I gave her a good squeeze out and she just came straight back underneath me when I asked her to. She had plenty to give at the finish.”
Scarlett Rain was available at $21 Golden Slipper odds with Ladbrokes Australia prior to this Sweet Embrace Stakes.
