Given a ground-saving ride by Brad Stewart, the rejuvenated seven-year-old gelding Hard Empire overpowered the favourite Jonker in the closing stages of Saturday’s Group III George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben.
At his fifth change of stables, Hard Empire made a winning debut for Toby and Trent Edmonds at Doomben on November 3 before finishing fourth in the Listed Keith Noud Quality at Doomben 11 days later.
The son of Hard Spun (USA) had been competitive in stakes races in Tasmania, Adelaide and Melbourne and earned a Group III win in the SAJC RN Irwin Stakes at Morphettville in April last year.
Purchased by part-owner Charles white for $11,000 out of the Maluka Thoroughbreds draft at the 2015 Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Hard Empire advances his record to 11 wins, one second and six thirds from 37 starts with earnings of $525,380.
He is the best of two winners from three to race out of the Last Tycoon (IRE) mare Last Quill a half-sister to the dam of Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate winner Power Trip who is also by Hard Spun (USA).
Not covered in the previous two seasons, Last Quill’s most recent foal is the unraced 3yo Fiorente (IRE) filly Dahwilly.
Hard Empire defeated Jonker (Spirit Of Boom) by a half-neck with Outback Barbie (Spirit Of Boom) two and three-quarter lengths back in third after being caught wide the trip.
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