Hellbent mare Vivy Air was second to her stablemate Gringotts in the $3million ATC The Big Dance last year and the five year-old looks to be right on song for a second crack at the lucrative feature following a tenacious victory at Randwick on Saturday.
Trained by Ciaron Maher and ridden by Ethan Brown, Vivy Air kicked away topping the rise and had enough left to hold off a late drive from runner-up Swiftfalcon to win by a head in the Big Dance Wild Card Handicap (1600m).
“She gets her ticket again (to the Big Dance) now so hopefully she can go one better. Rapt, she's very good at running second this mare and when Brownie (jockey Ethan Brown) pushed the button fairly early I thought, I was like 'oh god',” said Ciaron Maher.
"The team have done a good job, she trains up on the beach up at Newcastle. She stays up a long time and it's great to get a win on a big day."
Bred by OTI Racing, Vivy Air had a change of ownership and trainer last year and has gone on to build the overall record of three wins and 11 placings from 28 starts with prizemoney topping $1.1million.
Multiple Group placed, she is a half-sister to South African Group II winner New Predator and is one of seven winners from seven to race from winning Fastnet Rock mare Head over Heels, a half-sister to stakes-winner Presently.
Head Over Heels has had no luck at stud in recent years and has missed to Hellbent in the last two seasons.
