- Empire Rose
Empire Rose was one of the most popular
mare s to race inNew Zealand andAustralia . She was a gigantic chestnut, only just fitting into the barrier stalls inMelbourne .Empire Rose raced 48 times for nine wins and eight placings for $NZ 2,644,234. Among her successes were the New Zealand Cup,
LKS Mackinnon Stakes andMelbourne Cup , plus a placing in the 1989Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.The mare, by NZ stallion
Sir Tristram from the Sovereign Edition mare Summer Fleur, ran in the Melbourne Cup for a fifth in 1986 and a second in 1987. After winning the LKS Mackinnon Stakes on the Saturday, Empire Rose made her third attempt at the "two-miler" in 1988.Young rider Tony Allan had the mare handily placed all the way and she led around the big field around the home turn. Despite a flashing finish from Natski, Empire Rose refused to give in and had her head in front on the line. Natski's rump was actually ahead of hers! She was given a rousing reception for her win.
The following year Empire Rose could manage only 15th in the Melbourne Cup to
Tawrrific .References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.