It's like deja vu all over again!
IN A case of deja vu, premier trainer Emma Stewart has once again dominated tonight's Breeders' Crown heats in Bendigo.
Seven qualifiers were held across the two three-year-old divisions, with 'Stewart's squad' winning five - two for colts and geldings and three for fillies.
Last season Stewart won five of the six heats, with her stable also registering two quinellas and a trifecta, which saw her qualify 12 for the second round!
Stewart also won three of the seven two-year-old heats, with three seconds and four thirds, resulting in 18 of the stable's two-year-olds qualifying for the semis!
In 2020 Stewart and her partner Clayton Tonkin won six of the seven two-year-old heats and three of the six three-year-old heats in which they had a runner.
As for her latest haul, Stewart's winners led home a quinella and a trifecta, with each of her 19 runners making their way into the semis.
“The heats have produced some amazing results for the team and we are especially happy for our owners,” Stewart said.
“These are the kind of races any owner wants to be a part of so it is always great when you can deliver that.
“Hopefully we will have a bit of luck in the semis in Melton next Saturday.”
Khafaji and Captain Ravishing were Stewart's 'leading men', with Petillante, Encipher and Soho Historia the 'glamour girls' of the team.
Driven by Mark Pitt, Encipher's victory represents the perfect start to her title defence.
The daughter of Captaintreacherous rated 1:55.9 over 2150 metres, which is four-tenths of a seconds slower than Petillante's fastest time of the heats.
Captain Ravishing's 1:54.2 was more than two seconds quicker than Khafaji.
Also by Captaintreacherous, Captain Ravishing strengthened his position as series favourite.
Breeders' Crown focus swicthes to Maryborough on Sunday for the two-year-old heats, with Stewart heading to the venue with five of the six favourites, including undefeated filly, Major Celebrity.
Last weekend Major Celebrity became the third fastest filly of her age in the world by covering the miles in 1:50.3 to capture the Breeders' Challenge at Club Menangle.
