A well-judged front running ride by Ryan Moloney on Bennett Racing’s 4yo import Vintage Choice, saw the gelding show plenty of toughness in winning at Ipswich Wednesday over 1666m.
Carrying a big weight of 61.5kgs the gelding jumped well, and Ryan set a good tempo in front. Left alone he ran good sectionals throughout and Ryan looked to have a lap full of horse under him approaching the turn.
Ryan held him together into the straight and he was full of running down the short Ipswich run home, until the well backed Chris Waller 3yo made a challenge along the inside. Vintage Choice responded well and won running away by a length giving away a whopping 6kgs. It was very pleasing to see the horse respond so immediately when Ryan went for him.
It was the imports 5th run here in Australia and he had proven to be quite head strong in his earlier starts. Trainer Annabel Neasham had tried a few things in his previous starts but he did show he enjoyed running along in front when 4th at Rosehill on 17th June.
Annabel was very happy the horse finally got it all together and felt the gelding will probably head off for a well-earned break after a big first Australian campaign. He will stay in QLD and spell in the warner weather which will benefit him greatly.
Vintage Choice took his record to 10 starts 2 wins 2 x 2nds 1 x 3rd with earnings over 82k.
Purchased along with the very promising Fawkner Park and Harrow, Vintage Choice was a 55k gns purchase from the ‘22 Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale. Identified by Bennett Racing’s International Agent Stuart Boman, Vintage Choice is the 6th International purchase for Bennett Racing to win behind near 1mil earner Sibaaq, the aforementioned Fawkner Park, winner of 4 from 4 in Australia, the very smart 2yo Warnie, who is campaigning in Ireland with stakes goals ahead of him and New Zealand imports Flemington winner Texas Tea & Princeofcambridge.
Vintage Choice is a son of Champion sire Lope De Vega with his dam already producing the smart Listed winner Cristal Fizz. Vintage Choice’s family features of Gr1 winning milers Champions Glint Of Gold & Diamond Shoal.
The win was a great thrill to his owners with promise of more to come as he continues to acclimatise.
Congratulations to all owners and thankyou to Annabel Neasham and her Team for working the 4yo out.