Traffic Warden runs his rivals ragged in VRC Sires’ Produce win
After suffering a horrible fall in the same race 12 months ago, Jamie Kah has experienced a completely different result in the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes in 2024, as she guided Traffic Warden (+400) to an all-the-way win at Flemington.
The James Cummings-trained colt jumped well from the wide barrier, took up the lead and ran the race to suit himself, before kicking clear at the top of the home straight to put up a significant margin by the 200m mark.
The son of Street Boss produced a cracking run from the back of the field in the Blue Diamond Stakes last start and was always going to appreciate the rise in trip to 1400m in the Sires’.
The race favourite and heavily backed Rue De Royale (+270) was one of the better runs in defeat as he snuck up the inside rail to finish second, ahead of Bosustow (+600) who ran third in his first run in Melbourne.
However, all the honours went to the winner and Jamie Kah, winning by an official margin of 1.75 lengths on the line.
2024 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes Replay – Traffic Warden
Nacim Delmi was on course to represent the Godolphin stable and spoke of the win post-race.
“We never asked her to lead but if the horse were to bounce well than to make the most of it,” Demli said of the tactics.
“He bounced very quickly and she got to the front very easily and we were quite happy with that.
“His run in the Blue Diamond was a lot better than what the result says. He was very strong late looking for the 1400 (metres).
“Credit to Jamie as well. 12 months ago she had terrible luck so it is good to see her ride the winner.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if you see him in Sydney in a couple of weeks time.”
Jamie Kah brought up a riding double with the victory on Traffic Warden, and she was clearly emotional post-race.
“James said the option was up to me if I wanted to go forward or go back and to make up my mind when I jumped,” Kah said.
“That was the best thing in the end because he jumped too well and I thought ‘beautiful’, so I could slide across and he got there so easily.
“He was entitled to stop late because he did a bit of work but he was so tough. I helped because he’s so tractable, he came back to me and jumped well.
“It makes our job easy when you ride beautiful horses like this from Godolphin.
“A much better result (than last year).”
Traffic Warden is a +2500 chance in futures markets for the Golden Slipper with online bookmakers.