Progressive colt El Vaquero completed the southern juvenile season on a winning note at Oamaru on Sunday, outclassing his rivals to claim the One Smart Coffee (1200m).
The striking son of Ferrando had over raced when fancied on debut back in April, but since, has shown good improvement, going down by narrow margins on two occasions to Te Akau filly Cool Aza Rene.
There was no Cool Aza Rene in the field at Oamaru and El Vaquero comfortably held favouritism, closing at $2.10 over fillies Ripa Time ($6) and Ocean Boulevard ($6.10), who carried four kilograms less than the colt with apprentice allowances engaged.
Jumping from the ace draw, El Vaquero was clearly the fastest out and took a clear lead early in the hands of Kavish Chowdhoory, with Ocean Boulevard off the rail in second. El Vaquero had the field strung out nearing the home turn and was going to take some catching in the straight, and despite the best efforts of his rivals, he comfortably held them at bay, scoring by 4 – ¼ lengths to Kiwi Magic, who was just a nose ahead of Ocean Boulevard.
Second-elect Ripa Time closed well into fourth, having been three-wide throughout the six furlong journey.
Chowdhoory, a former apprentice of the colt’s trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman, was complimentary of the effort.
“He’s a very progressive horse, he’s had two nice seconds in his previous races and he came here today drawn one, as the most experienced horse in the field,” he said.
“I was able to dictate, then at the top of the straight, he was still doing a few things wrong and tried to run away from the winning post.
“He’s always learning.”
The Riccarton-based Pitmans hold El Vaquero in high regard, and are looking forward to an exciting spring three-year-old preparation with the colt.
“It was pretty easy in the end, he’s a lovely cut of a horse that is really starting to figure it out now,” Matthew Pitman said. “It was good to see him go on with it today.
“Early on, he wasn’t doing things right, running with his tail in the air, but he’s started to switch on and we’ve noticed that in his work.
“He’s improved a lot from run to run, and he’s right where we want him to be coming into the spring.”
Bred by Graeme Rogerson MZNM, El Vaquero is out of a one-win High Chaparral mare La Achiever, making him a full brother to stablemate Giussepe Ferrante. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
