Dermot Weld has produced a whole bunch of smart fillies over the years, the most notable recent ones being Chinese White, Dance Design, Irresistible Jewel, Mad About You, Profound Beauty, Sapphire and Voleuse De Coeurs.

Now it looks like he has another female star on his hands in Emerita (33-pace adjusted 37) judged by the way she cruised clear to win a Fairyhouse maiden.

Emerita only had to be nudged along to win the race and was being eased up in the final 50 yards. I’ve little doubt she can earn bigger ratings from me and this one was group class for a filly,

It’s hard to know what kind of acceleration Emerita can produce as she simply loped through the final few furlongs here without having to be asked for a real effort but it certainly looks like Weld is right to say she’s crying out for a return to a mile and a half.

Her two male siblings are hurdlers and she has the build of a horse that wants 12 furlongs plus.

Emerita is still in the Irish Oaks as I write this but Weld has said he plans to take his time with her and hopes to keep her in training next year. Then I imagine the Irish St Leger will feature among her targets. Meanwhile, the Give Thanks Stakes at Cork looks a logical step up in distance and class for Emerita.