Vinery has 14 yearlings parading at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale from this Sunday and they received a ringing endorsement after a 2yo winning treble by the Stud’s 2023 graduates last weekend.
Vella’s Best (Headwater) and All Inclusive (All Too Hard) scored headline victories in Canberra (Black Opal Preview) and at Doomben (QTIS Jewel Prelude) but a third graduate named Gatsby’s could well emerge from the shadows of Canterbury’s Friday night meeting to surpass them both.
Gatsby’s was racing on debut and came highly-rated from the Chris Waller stable to start a $1.70 favourite in the Ranvet Maiden Hcp (1100m). The Snitzel 2yo colt stalked Roselyn’s Star (Shalaa) and then overhauled the front-runner when eased off her heels by James McDonald in the straight. The remainder were headed by Godolphin filly Silmarillion (Too Darn Hot) who was three lengths in arrears.
“He was nominated for the Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill but Chris decided to take the easier option tonight,” stable spokesman Chris Harwood said. “He’s a nice colt and we will take him home and see how he pulls up before making any definite plans.
“If he puts his hand up for the Golden Slipper Stakes there’s no reason why we wouldn’t go down that path.”
Gatsby’s was bred by Phoenix Thoroughbreds and was sold by Vinery Stud (as agent) to Aramco Racing’s Singapore-based owner Chua Song Ru for $220,000 at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. His dam Miss Charming (Forestry) was a 3yo winner on turf at Hollywood Park and she is a half-sister to Group 1 Del Mar Oaks winner Tout Charmant (Slewvescent).
The USA-bred mare also foaled Vinery graduate and Snitzel filly Letzbeglam to win the 2020 Blue Diamond Prelude (Gr.2, 1100m) at Caulfield and 2022 Counties Bowl (Gr.3, 1100m) at Pukekohe for Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay.
Another Snitzel – Miss Charming filly made $140,000 when purchased by Malua Bloodstock from Widden Stud at last month’s Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale. Vinery’s Group 1 winning Snitzel graduates include Russian Revolution (ATC Galaxy Hcp) and Shamus Award (MVRC Cox Plate).
