Cup victory should seal slice of history

TONIGHT’S Globe Derby victory should be enough to secure a piece of history.

By capturing his third Christmas Cup quality pacer Emain Mach shapes as a certainty to be named 2019/20 South Australian Horse of the Year.

Should the son of Safari claim the top title he will become the first triple winner of the coveted award.

Emain Macha joined the honour roll in 2017, with his 2019 crowning making him the sixth dual winner since the award’s inauguration in 1986.

The ‘Super Six’ includes Whirley Dream (1987 and ’88), Pappy McCoy (1989 and ’91), Keep It Up (1995 and 2001), Hes A Corka (2002 and ’03) and Conte De Cristo (2009 and ’10).

Emain Macha’s 2018/19 season netted seven wins and six placings from 14 starts with his victories coming in the Victor Harbor, Christmas, Italian, ANZAC, Swan Hill and Wedderburn Cups.

This term the Greg Scholefield-trained gelding has six wins and four placings from 16 starts, with is triumphs including St Arnaud, Stawell, two Christmas and Italian Cups.

Emain Macha was also runner-up in the Victor Harbor Cup from a 30-metre back mark.

“He’s had another very good season,” Scholefield said. “I’ve had a few issues with him throughout the season, but he keeps bouncing back just as he did tonight.”

With Darren Billinger in the cart, Emain Macha worked overtime in the ‘death seat’ before scoring by two-and-a-half metres from Ellmers Hoofing It.

Joes A Character was eight metres away third in 1:58.4 over 2230 metres.

“He did well without being at his best in October, but I’ve managed to sort him out,” Scholefield.

“A freshen-up and ironing out a few issues has done him wonders as he showed tonight when first-up for seven weeks.”