Tony Gollan has his eyes firmly fixed on the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap for Vega One after the four-year-old son of Lope de Vega captured Saturday’s $1 million Magic Millions Cup (RL) at the Gold Coast.
With Michael Rodd in the saddle, Vega One defeated last year’s winner Redouble (Redoute’s Choice) by a half length with Sambro (Fastnet Rock) a length back in third (image Grant Courtney
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“He’s turning into a really good horse, we didn’t quite get the run we wanted to get but that’s why it’s good to have the experience of Michael on who didn’t panic sat there kept him balanced and put them away quickly on straightening,” Gollan said.
“He goes away now and he’s ballot free for the Stradbroke a race I’ve never won and if I’ve ever had a good enough horse to do it it’s this guy.
“There’s no pressure for him to make the race we can map out a really nice program for him and give him a shot at a Group One.
“I really do feel he can make a presence in the winter he loves Eagle Farm can handle any ground he’s going to be a real force.
Rodd said the son of Lope de Vega will be even better when ridden more quietly.
“I’ve always had a good relationship with Tony and to come back and trust me on this horse means a lot and I’m glad I delivered,” Rodd said.
“He’s still learning and he’s still got his quirks this horse he’s blessed with a lot of talent he just needs to simmer down a bit between the 800 to the 600 he was a bit keen, I had to bring him back and settle him.
“I’d love to come back and ride him a bit quieter for the Stradbroke, we were a little off them today but I think the colder you ride him the harder he’ll hit the line.
“I would have loved to have been one off in the run but the middle of the track is where we wanted to be.”
From the last of four crops left in Australia by Lope de Vega (IRE), Vega One advances his record to 5 wins, 4 seconds and 1 third from 17 starts with earnings of $956,400.
A half-brother to the Group II ATC Sweet Embrace Stakes winner One More Honey (Onemorenomore), Vega One was a $75,000 purchase by his former trainer John Thompson out of the Stockwell Thoroughbreds draft (on behalf of breeder Emirates Park), at the 2017 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
He is the fourth foal of the imported Distorted Humor mare One Funny Honey (USA) who is a daughter of the 2011 Group III VRC The Vanity winner Lan Kwai Fong (Bluebird).
One Funny Honey has a yearling colt by Snitzel who was knocked down to Farrington Bloodstock/Aquis Farm/Brae Sokolski for $800,000 from the Aquis Farm draft at yesterday’s session of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
After foaling a Fastnet Rock colt last September, One Funny Honey was bred back to Fastnet Rock.
