Memories of the great New Zealand mare Empire Rose came flooding back with the win of Falsetto in the FRH Group Handicap (2949 metres) at Moonee Valley on Wednesday, reports Melbourne's Age newspaper.
Falsetto is owned by Tim Bodle's Whakanui Stud syndicate and Bodle bred and owned Empire Rose, winner of the 1988 Melbourne Cup. The Zabeel mare races in the same colours as Empire Rose.
Falsetto, a placegetter in the NZ Oaks as a three-year-old, yesterday was having her second start since joining the Mick Price stable and is a second acceptor for the Caulfield and Melbourne cups.
"This could be a funny year (for the cups) and she's bred to stay, so we'll see what happens," Price said. He said Falsetto would have her next start in the Winning Edge (2400 metres) at Caulfield on October 13, a week before the Caulfield Cup.