Emerald Kingdom set for Keith Noud tilt

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Desleigh Forster is hopeful Emerald Kingdom can deny premier trainer Tony Gollan a fifth straight win in the Listed Keith Noud Stakes at Doomben on Saturday.

Gollan won last year’s Keith Noud with Tambo’s Mate (2021), which followed victories from Jonker (2020), Outback Barbie (2019) and Most Important (2018).

Emerald Kingdom has only had four starts for Forster since transferring from fellow Eagle Farm trainer Rob Heathcote.

The eight-year-old was to be ridden by up-and-coming apprentice Jasmine Cornish before she was involved in a horror track fall at Beaudesert on Tuesday.

Jasmine suffered serious injuries riding one of her father Greg’s horses, which fell in a barrier trial at Beaudesert on Tuesday.

Jasmine was airlifted to Princess Alexandra Hospital and will undergo surgery on Wednesday after fracturing the C7 vertebrae in her back.

“We’re just thankful she’s alive,” Jasmine's father Greg said.

“She’s also got a fractured eye socket and won’t ride again for six to 12 months.”

Being a stakes race, the Keith Noud was a non-claiming race for apprentices but Forster had placed her faith in Jasmine with her early booking for Emerald Kingdom.

“Jasmine won on him last start and she was going to ride him in the Keith Noud until she got hurt in the fall,” Forster said.

“It’s not ideal for him dropping back to 1200 metres but he’s getting ready for the Recognition Stakes in a few weeks so he needs to run before then.

“He’s a happy horse and he’s done well since his last win at Eagle Farm.”

The stable have since booked Boris Thornton with Jasmine on the sidelines. 

Emerald Kingdom tailed off to last in the Listed Weetwood Handicap at Toowoomba at his second start for Forster in September.

He then ran a much improved fourth behind Ef Troop when he attempted to lead all the way at Eagle Farm on October 15.

Emerald Kingdom rediscovered his best form at his last appearance, with Jasmine in the saddle, leading all the way to beat Greyworm in the Padua College Cup over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm on October 29.

Forster will be looking for her second win in the Keith Noud after claiming it with Too Good To Refuse six years ago.

Emerald Kingdom missed last year’s summer features after finishing second to the Mark Currie-trained Soxagon in the Lough Neagh Stakes in 2020 and may travel the summer path again.

Emerald Kingdom has started 37 times for 13 wins and six placings, including a win in the inaugural $440,000 The Archer at Rockhampton’s Callaghan Park in May.

He was under Heathcote’s care on that occasion when he downed the Forster-trained favourite Apache Chase.