Emperorofthecats lands feature

EMPEROROFTHECATS yesterday reproduced his scintillating form at exercise, a bullet 1:13.2 for six furlongs a week prior, to make every post a winning one, landing the seven-furlong Prince Consort Stakes by a short head from 6-1 shot BLUE VINYL.

Speculative bettors sent off the Emperor Hall-Laws of the Cat gelding at odds of 5-1, doubting whether he could stay the distance of the 2000 Guineas prep after debuting with a victory at four furlongs straight two weeks ago.

Reporting minus his blinkers, which he wore as an even-money market-springer on debut, EMPEROROFTHECATS, throttled by Bebeto Harvey, used his speed to turn back topweight BRINKS before kicking clear of Sir Howard Stakes-winner TEKAPUNT off the home turn.

BLUE VINYL, who was slowly into stride and tailed off with Dane Nelson, produced a desperate late charge along the rail, just failing to tag tiring EMPEROROFTHECATS, who hung on to clock 1:27.0, equalling the time run by ATOMICA in Saturday’s fillies-only Thornbird Stakes.

Champion trainer Anthony Nunes saddled two winners on the nine-race card, opening his account with THALOS, who made all at five furlongs straight in the sixth for maidens.

Nunes closed the programme for the second consecutive meet, NUCLEAR NOON making all at five furlongs straight among overnight-allowance runners, after bringing down the curtains with FURTHER AND BEYOND on Saturday.

Racing continues on Saturday.