Unfancied filly Vegas Queen survived a post-race protest from runner-up Archaic Smile to collect her biggest victory after an incident-packed finish to the Gr.2 IRT Wellington Guineas (1600m) at Trentham.
Sent to the front by rider Wiremu Pinn, the Kenny Rae-prepared daughter of Rich Hil Stud stallion Proisir looked to be full of running as she rounded the home bend two lengths clear of her rivals after making all of the pace from barrier rise.
In a desperate finish, she held out the hard-charging pair of Archaic Smile and Dramatic Miss at odds of $34 on the tote to register the second win of her nine-race career. But her connections faced another challenge as the protest siren sounded to register an inquiry from the runner-up for alleged interference in the final 250m.
Head-on video of the incident showed Archaic Smile being squeezed between Dramatic Miss and fourth-placed filly She’s Untouchable through Vegas Queen shifting inwards, however after lengthy deliberations the Judicial Committee dismissed the objection to allow placings to stand.
Rae hadn’t been expecting his filly to lead in the race and was feeling a little anxious throughout as he watched her fend off the challenges presented to her.
“After 200m I was feeling a little average but she got there (in front) fairly easily although she was a little wound up before the start,” Rae said. “It’s the first time he (Pinn) has ever ridden the horse so you can’t knock him.
“She is a very very tough horse with a lot of ability and a good turn of foot. To be honest I had no idea if she would handle the track (Soft 6) today, but luckily Mandy (Brown, co-owner) said could we have a chance of winning the Guineas as I wanted to go to Pukekohe (yesterday) for something easier.
“She is going out for a break now as this is her first time going past the Pukekohe racetrack and I don’t think she will handle the wet tracks (coming up).”
Pinn admitted he had to make a new race plan after the filly bounded away from the starting gates in front.
“We were very comfortable out in front after she jumped so well,” he said. “She grabbed the bridle, so I thought there go Kenny’s instructions out the window so I will just ride her how she feels and she was as happy as Larry out in front.
“She showed great grit and determination to win today as when I thought she was falling in a hole, another horse has come up to challenge and she kicked hard and fought to the line.
“I was pretty confident the whole way and she showed great fight.”
Vegas Queen is the 22nd stakes-winner for champion sire Proisir and is from a half-sister to the dam of today's G1 ATC George Ryuder Stakes winner Gringotts from the family of world champion Winx.
She has now collected over $238,000 for owners Dirk and Nicki Oberholster and The Magpies & Mandy and Matt Brown’s Ngapuke Racing. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
