Future looks bright for Vinny

Horsham owned and trained gelding Vinny Rock looks to have a bright future judging by his impressive, all-the-way victory in the $7000 two-year-old maiden pace at Wedderburn on Sunday.

The son of Pet Rock USA made a luckless debut three weeks ago at Horsham, when interfered with by a wayward runner. But driver Grant Campbell eliminated any chance of a repeat when he used the youngster’s gate speed to quickly cross to the pegs.

When in front Vinny Rock was relaxed and content to amble through the middle stages of the 1750-metre trip at a leisurely tempo.

When Campbell released the deafeners and gave his charge more rein with 400 metres to go, Vinny Rock responded with a dash to the post in 29.1 seconds, 13 metres clear of his nearest rival. Vinny Rock is a half-brother to the former smart performer Bou Chard – eight wins, $66,670 – and was bred by Robbie Connelly from his Safely Kept USA broodmare, Doutzen.

Stawell

Charlton trainer Shane Sanderson was victorious at Stawell last week with Vanquish Stride in the $7000 threeyear-old pace.

With Kerryn Manning in the sulky, Vanquish Stride was eased to the tail of the field from outside the front line at the start, with more fancied stablemate Graphite Stride – Ryan Sanderson – finding the lead from gate four.

Manning found a sweet three-wide trail forward in the last lap on the back of Ozzie Playboy – Alex Ashwood – and Vanquish Stride finished full of running to score by six metres in a mile rate of 1:59.6 for the 2180-metre journey.

Maiden victory

Rainbow owner-trainer Stuart Cocks made a return to the Mildura winner’s circle last week when his four-year-old mare Two Jacs broke through for her maiden victory in The Gateway Pace.

Driver Michelle Phillips gave Two Jacs the run of the race on the back of the leader Ironbark Fella – Reece Moore – for the majority of the 1790-metre contest and at the 400-metre mark was able to move away from the pegs to challenge.

In the run to the post, Two Jacs proved the strongest of the four that had cleared away from the rest to fight out the finish and scored by a neck in a mile rate of 1:59.2

Twice the win

Horsham owner-trainer-driver Aaron Dunn enjoyed double delight at Bendigo on Saturday with Maxactor and Bondi

Lockdown both impressive winners on a night of fabulous racing.

Maxactor was caught wide around the first bend from gate four but Dunn decided to press on and found the lead after going 500 metres of the 2150-metre journey.

When in front, he managed to control the tempo through the middle stages for a much-needed breather, which left his charge with enough in reserve to scoot home in 56.3 and score by 2.3 metres in a rate of 1:56.9.

Later in the night, Bondi Lockdown lined up in the $10,000 three-year-old pace for another step on his pathway to the Victoria Derby.

The brilliant colt did everything his quote of $1.40 favourite expected – straight to the front, a mid-race stroll in the park and a ripping final half in 54.5 seconds for a solid, five-metre victory.