Not even a bottomless track could spoil the winning debut of Lonhro blueblood Vientiane over 1100m at Canterbury on Thursday.
Ridden by Jason Collett for James Cummings, the near-black 3yo filly tracked the early speed before easing out to the three-wide line on the turn.
Under little more than a hand ride, Vientiane kept up a strong gallop to defeat the Deep Field gelding Cosmic Minerva by one and a quarter length with the Star Witness gelding Roma Avenue a further short-head back in third.
A sister to the Group II ATC Nathan Berry Tulloch Stakes winner Old North, Vientiane is the sixth winner for the dual Listed stakes-winner Bernicia.
A daughter of Elusive Quality (USA) and the Group 1 VATC Blue Diamond Stakes winner Danelagh , Bernicia is a half-sister to Group 1 AJC Australian Oaks heroine Dizelle and Hong Kong Horse Of The Year, Vengeance Of Rain.
Bernicia has been a reliable producer for Godolphin missing once in twelve seasons.
Her 2yo Impending gelding, Edwin, is highly thought of, making two starts in top company in Melbourne.
Bernicia has a yearling Harry Angel (IRE) filly named Setombe, a weanling Kermadec filly, and was covered by Impending last spring.
