After forming a stellar partnership with Emsley Lodge in recent months, Chelsea Thompson posted her first victory as the stable apprentice on Brutify at Wodonga.
The 21-year-old officially joined the Emsley Lodge team six days ago and continued her impressive run with the stable, when the daughter of Brutal landed Sunday’s Vale Colin ‘Snowy’ Matthews 0 – 56 Hcp (1300m).
Chelsea has ridden 10 winners since kicking off her career in November last year and eight of them have been for Emsley Lodge, including four on Tori’s Dee and three of Come Along Jeffrey.
While Tori’s Dee and Come Along Jeffrey are noted front runners, Chelsea rode a patient race on Brutify who settled fifth, four lengths off the lead, and proved far too good in the home straight.
After hitting the front passing the 200 metres mark, Brutify ($4.40) surged clear in the closing stages to score by two lengths from More Highs On me ($26) and Youarenotalone ($5).
Trainer Jamie Edwards said the tight track suited Brutify and that it was a perfect ride from Chelsea.
“Everything worked out perfectly,” Jamie said.
He said Brutify settled well with the speed on most of the way and that it was easy win.
“We tried to teach her to settle a year ago and finally she did that today with a good tempo helping her on a tighter track than places like Geelong and Ballarat where the leaders tend of steady up which can lead to her over-racing,” Jamie said.
“This preparation she is more relaxed in her trackwork and if she can settle in races, it provides more options as she works through her grades.”
Brutify won her maiden at Colac in February and has started 16 times for two wins and five placings, only missing a place once in her last seven starts.