Lindsay Park head trainer David Hayes will target the Vinery Stud Stakes next month with his progressive filly Rimraam who put the writing on the wall for an Australasian Oaks bid with a nice resuming win in the Group 3 $150,000 The Vanity (1400m).
The Vanity winner Rimraam has a number of upcoming Group 1 autumn targets this season. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
A field of 11 fillies faced off in the sixth on Black Caviar Lightning Day at Flemington including the Hayes-trained market mover Rimraam who was backed right in from $16 to $8 at Ladbrokes.com.au to salute first-up.
The up-and-coming daughter of Commands was thereabouts all spring, but finally got her second win on the board at start number nine.
“She was a filly knocking on the door in the spring,” Hayes said after the win.
“It’s just great that she’s now a major Group winner.
“She just seems faster this time in.”
It was her first official appearance since finishing just over three lengths back seventh to Pinot in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
In The Vanity Rimraam was given a gun ride by Damien Oliver from the inside alley and she was able to come back and sprint well fresh to defeat the also resuming VRC Oaks winner Bring Me Roses ($8.50).
“It was a great ride from Ollie,” Hayes said, giving the winning hoop plenty of praise.
“We got an Ollie special!”
Another filly from the Lindsay Park stable, Shokora ($7.50), rounded out The Vanity trifecta in third as the previously undefeated Paris Rock ran fourth ahead of the beaten favourite Aloisia who caught the eye late running on from the back to make up plenty of ground.
The Darren Weir-trained Twitchy Frank led The Vanity field around and was still the narrow leader approaching the bend, where Aaron Purcell’s Thousand Guineas winner Aloisia was still tracking second last.
After a patient ride from Oliver, Rimraam got a beautiful run up the inside and the gap opened up for her.
Getting out in the centre, The Vanity winner was able to use her soft run in transit to her advantage and hold off Bring Me Roses for the half-neck triumph, handing Oliver his second win in the race after his success back in 1999 aboard Rose O’War.
“It was my first sit on her and she’s a lovely big strong filly,” the hoop said post win.
“She’s developing into a nice horse.
“The gaps came at the right time and she was really strong to the line.
“It’s only a short turnaround from the spring to the autumn but she seems to have progressed nicely.
“I’d say she’s in for a nice prep.
“There’s a good bit of scope and length about her.
“Distance won’t be a worry…it’s always good to see staying types of horses sprint well fresh.”
Distance is something Hayes is a little concerned about still with Rimraam however with the Hall of Famer ruling her out of a shot at the Group 1 $1 million Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick in Sydney on April 14.
Instead he plans to take her and The Vanity third-placegetter Shokora to Adelaide on May 5 for a shot at the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m).
“She didn’t stay in the spring,” Hayes said of Rimraam.
“She could still get her Oaks but it will be in the Australasian Oaks over in Adelaide.”
For Rimraam her earlier elite level assignment is scheduled as the Group 1 $500,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 31, a race Hayes won back in 2007 with super filly Miss Finland.
“We might look at the Vinery…over 2000m,” Hayes said.
“But they’re both heading to the Australasian Oaks and will meet in Adelaide.”
To back Rimraam next race and to access the best all-in autumn racing odds head to Ladbrokes.com.au today.
The Vanity Results & Finishing Order
Flemington Race 6 – 17/02/2018
| Place | # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Br. | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | RIMRAAM (NZ) | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Damien Oliver | – | 4 | 55kg | $7.50 |
| 2 | 2 | BRING ME ROSES | Tony McEvoy | Luke Currie | 0.2L | 3 | 57.5kg | $9 |
| 3 | 8 | SHOKORA | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Kerrin McEvoy | 0.3L | 7 | 55kg | $7.50 |
| 4 | 7 | PARIS ROCK (NZ) | Henry Dwyer | Damien Thornton | 1.05L | 6 | 55kg | $4.80 |
| 5 | 1 | ALOISIA (NZ) | Aaron Purcell | Mark Zahra | 2.05L | 11 | 58.5kg | $4.40F |
| 6 | 11 | SHAGRA | David Brideoake | Dwayne Dunn | 2.25L | 5 | 55kg | $41 |
| 7 | 9 | CARIBBEAN PEARL | Mark Young | Ben Thompson (a) | 2.45L | 10 | 55kg | $91 |
| 8 | 4 | TWITCHY FRANK | Darren Weir | Ben Allen (a) | 2.65L | 2 | 55kg | $12 |
| 9 | 3 | BANISH | James Cummings | Craig Williams | 2.75L | 1 | 57.5kg | $12 |
| 10 | 6 | ANCHOR BID | Darren Weir | Regan Bayliss | 4.75L | 9 | 55kg | $41 |
| 11 | 10 | NEUROTIC | Heath Conners | Beau Mertens | 4.85L | 8 | 55kg | $8 |
