Vinrock makes all in Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes
Vinrock (+240) has maintained his undefeated record by taking out the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in his second career start, following a dominant debut victory at Pakenham.
The Matt Laurie-trained gelding led from start to finish on debut, and Mark Zahra didn’t change tactics on the son of I Am Invincible, who bowled along out in front before kicking clear in the concluding stages of the race.
After the opening favourite Tycoon Star was scratched, Vinrock was installed as the clear favourite with BlondeBet, and even though there was specking for a number of runners, the favourite duly saluted for his followers.
Zahra made sure the tempo was sedate throughout the 1400m contest, as he led the field up ahead of Ohope (+900) and Brave Design (+650).
As the leader straightened for the run home, there was never a worry if you were on him, as he continued to race away from his rivals the further they went.
Vinrock claimed an impressive two-length victory over Brave Design and Onavuitton (+2000).
Matt Laurie was full of compliments about the winner post-race.
“He’s got good gate speed, he put himself there and doesn’t overdo it. He finds when asked the question,” Laurie said.
“He was good at Pakenham, which is a big track, and here at Flemington, he has gone well.
“He’s a very tough horse, and when he was placed under pressure at his first start, he really responded well and went to another level today.
“I nearly ran him last prep. He was the first of our two-year-olds to trial.
“I felt that at that stage they were five-furlong races, and he looks like seven-furlongs plus, so we put him away.
“If he pulls up well, we’ll go to Sydney for the Sires’ there.”
Mark Zahra explained that he was very keen to ride Vinrock after trialling him before his debut.
“I have to give Matty credit. I trialled him over 1000-metres and he said he wanted to go to a 1300-metre race at Bendigo on a Saturday and I said it didn’t suit me because I can’t ride him,” Zahra explained.
“He went to a 1200 and he won well there.
“Matt had this race picked out before he even started.
“He’s obviously a very good judge of a horse and he has plotted a path and it has come off.
“He is just a dream to ride for a two-year-old.
“Came out a bit sticky out of the gates but not too bad. He’s hardly raised a sweat.”
Vinrock is rated as a +1400 chance with horse racing bookmakers in the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) futures markets.
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