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Saint Emilion wins 2018 New Zealand Stakes Group 1 NZ$200,000 at Ellerslie (NZ), 2000m.
As he loves to do, Saint Emilion set his own terms from the outset, breaking quickly to lead with a circuit to run. With a leisurely pace, he lobbed along in front by a length down the back and past the 800m. Rider Leith Innes applied some pressure at the 600m to draw another half length clear stretching to two lengths starting the home straight.
With 250m remaining Innes asked the question and the 6YO responded, maintained his two length advantage to the 50m and that was enough, he had them beaten and eased over the line by a length for win 13 and earnings of $387,045.
Darscape Princess was sixth (one out) at the 1200m, was shuffled back at the 600m then pulled wide into the straight to be only runner to make ground on the winner, finishing well for a good second but never likely to to catch him.
Authentic Paddy had the perfect trail (fence) to the straight, was ridden hard from the 350m and the old warrior fought doggedly to hold third from Savvy Dreams who looked to have no chance at the 400m but kept on solidly late to grab fourth.