A winner on debut at Taree back in November to become the first winner for his sire Captivant, the Jenny Graham trained Vantorix then recorded success at Grafton before his winning run continued on Saturday, capturing the $300,000 G2 BRC Spirit Of Boom Classic (1200m) at Doomben.
With James McDonald taking the ride, the 2yo gelding jumped the race favourite and from barrier four the pair went forward to settle in second position behind Jack Bruce’s Girmay.
As the leading duo took the field into the home straight, it was clear that Girmay was under pressure, and while Vantorix took a little while to warm up, once he passed the leader, all he needed to do was to hold off the late charge of those coming home strongly.
When the line was reached, Vantorix held a narrow winning margin from the Tony Gollan trained Martist who finished in second, just ahead of Liam Birchley’s Dream Roca (NZ) in third.
Graham was clearly over the moon with the victory.
“I was very nervous late but it's a big thrill to win a race like that with this horse,” said Graham. “James was excellent and he got the job done, so I couldn't be happier.”
“We always felt that he had the ability to be competitive at Stakes level, so we've been thinking about this race for a while now but we knew he had to step up. I was happy enough to give him a try, and he showed he was up to it.
“The ownership group are like a big family, they're long-time owners so it's a big thrill. We're hoping to head towards the Sires and the JJ Atkins.”
The second winner at the meeting from the first four races, McDonald was quite taken by the 2yo.
“It's a special win,” said McDonald. “She's an extremely good trainer, and she knows her horses inside out.
“When she (Graham) gave us a call about the ride, she gave the horse such a good wrap. Guesty [agent Mark Guest] jumped at the opportunity, I wasn't quite as taken as him but Jenny was so bullish about the horse.
“He won like a good horse today, albeit by a narrow margin. He was left in front a long way from home, so he was entitled to stargaze a bit and he's still got some maturing to do.
“I think he's a bit quicker than people give him credit for. I think he'll be alright over 1400 metres [in the Sires], but I'd be a bit more reserved about him over the mile [in the JJ Atkins]. But he's a nice horse.”
With his unbeaten run taking his earnings to $214,200, Vantorix was a $30,000 purchase for trainer Jenny Graham from the Mullaglass Stud draft at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, having originally been purchased for $40,000 by Kiwi Bloodstock from the Mullaglass Stud draft at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale.
Bred by Dr R McClenahan, Vantorix is a half-brother to G3 ATC San Domenico stakes winner Raging Force, being the third winner from five to the races out of the stakes-placed Stryker mare Miss Loren.
Miss Loren’s current yearling, a colt by Zousain, was purchased at this year’s Inglis Classic yearling sale for $180,000 by Snowden Racing, the trainer of Vantorix’s half-brother Raging Force.
The lone winner, and stakes winner by Captivant, the G1 Champagne Stakes-winning son of Capitalist started his stallion career at Kia Ora Stud where he covered just shy of 300 mares in his first four season, and this year he will stand at Vinery Stud at a fee of $11,000 (inc. GST).
