Emphasis on right track for Doomben win

A return to his pet track and distance for Emphasis has Toowoomba trainer Richie Stephenson confident a rare trip to Brisbane can be a successful one.

Emphasis will tackle a handy field in Saturday’s Open Handicap (1600m) at Doomben in his second run back from a spell.

The gelding has been a great money spinner for Stephenson having returned $233,000 on his $10,000 sale price from a Darley dispersal sale.

Emphasis has shown a distinct liking for Doomben and in particular for the 1600m where he has won and run two seconds from three attempts.

One of his seconds was in the Listed Members Cup at Doomben last winter.

Stephenson has been one of the Darling Downs top trainers for 50 years with horses such as the smart sprinters Royal Samurai and Azzaland.

“But in recent times I rarely come down to Brisbane unless I think they can measure up,” he said..

” I have always thought Emphasis could win a good race and I think he can make a good quality stayer. But he does like Doomben and the 1600 metres there.”

Stephenson had such a high opinion of Emphasis he sent him around in the Group One Doomben Cup last May.

“I know he was well beaten but he wasn’t disgraced as it was a very heavy track and that didn’t suit him,” Stephenson said.

Emphasis is likely to press on to the summer feature races, most of which will be run at Doomben this year.