It would be fair to say Desi Emperor has fooled trainer Tommy Wong a couple of times in his career.
Initially thought of as a sprinter, who attracted Hong Kong interest after a slick trial win before his debut, he didn’t win a race until he reached 1500m, and his next three wins were at a mile.
Keagan Latham will ride Desi Emperor at Warwick Farm.Credit: Getty Images
But things have changed, and after successive wins at 1100m, the six-year-old eyes a hat-trick in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1000m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
“In his first trial, he showed a lot of speed, and I had owners from Hong Kong who wanted to buy him. At that time, we thought he was a sprinter,” Wong said.
“In his second prep, I don’t know why, he wanted to go a bit further. Up to 1500m and 1600m, but he doesn’t have that stamina any more.”
Desi Emperor was Wong’s first city winner in some 18 years when he scored an all-the-way win on a heavy track at Canterbury six weeks ago.
He’s now won just shy of $200,000, which is not bad for a horse that cost $3000 online in 2021.
The Hawkesbury trainer, who has around a dozen in work, said the turnaround in the gelding’s form is a combination of switching him back to sprinting and being clear of feet issues.
“He had some foot abscess bothering him last prep, but this time he’s good,” he said.