Vinrock Leads Laurie Trio in Caulfield Guineas

Matt Laurie is confident that a wide draw will be no barrier to success for Vinrock in the Caulfield Guineas (G1) over 1,600 meters (1 mile) as the crack colt headlines the stable’s three-pronged attack on the stallion-making contest Oct. 11. 

Laurie quipped that it might be the first and last time his wife Kate is handed the dubious honor of drawing the marble after she plucked barrier 14 for Vinrock, who will need to jump much cleaner than he did when he was downed as the odds-on favorite in last month’s Stutt Stakes (G2) at Moonee Valley Racecourse. 

Given Treasurethe Moment also tasted defeat for the first time in over a year on AFL Grand Final Eve, Laurie may be keen to erase the occasion from his memory but the Mornington horseman is nothing if not resilient, and is steadfast in his belief that both horses can gain redemption in their respective group 1 races at Caulfield Racecourse. 

With just four horses facing her, Treasurethe Moment may encounter a tactical affair when she is reunited with Damian Lane in the Might And Power (G1) but the dilemma is quite the opposite for Vinrock and his stablemates Vega for Luck and Prestige Ole in the Caulfield Guineas, which has drawn a full field of 16 (plus two emergencies).

Chris Waller’s duo of Wodeton and Autumn Boy, who both had their first look at Caulfield Oct. 7, head the early betting markets. However, provided Vinrock can cross from the wide alley without expending too much energy, the Au$7 third elect looks best placed of the “home” contingent to repel the interstate raid and provide his sire I Am Invincible  with a first win in the time-honored contest.

“We’ll probably know our fate with Vinrock fairly early,” said Laurie.

“Hopefully it was just a one-off last time when he was slowly away at The Valley. If he can show his customary gate speed, we’ll definitely look to press on and either take up the lead or sit pretty close to it, because he’s much more effective when he’s ridden positively. Obviously it depends on what the other runners do, I’m sure it will be a high-pressure race with plenty of jostling for position as usual.”

Laurie readily concedes that Vinrock is clearly his top seed as the AU$300,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling purchase goes in search of a third victory in elite company. But Vega for Luck, who began his career in New Zealand before being acquired by Yulong and transferred to Laurie’s stables, could live up to his name when he steps up to the mile for the first time in his career. 

The colt defied all bar Estremo with a bold front-running display in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude (G3) last time, and while the Golden Rose (G1) may have provided a more accurate pointer in recent years, Private Life used the Prelude as a springboard to success in the Guineas 12 months ago. 

Treasurethe Moment Seeks Fifth Group 1 in Might and Power

While the team from Yulong will be keeping their fingers crossed for both Vinrock and Vega for Luck, it is perhaps another runner Saturday who carries the heavier weight of expectation as Treasurethe Moment seeks an 11th win—and fifth at the elite level—in an intriguing renewal of the Might And Power.

On paper, the AU$1 million contest appears to be a match race between Laurie’s mare and Buckaroo , whose last-start second to Sir Delius in the Underwood Stakes (G1) makes him a worthy contender. 

Treasurethe Moment readily accounted for Buckaroo in the Memsie Stakes (G1), but she was subsequently unable to extend her picket fence when a rejuvenated Pride Of Jenni ran riot in the Feehan Stakes (G2). However, given she had missed a whole week of work with a (mercifully mild) bout of colic, the dual Oaks winner could certainly be forgiven the minor blot on an otherwise exemplary copybook. 

With Damian Lane returning from suspension to renew acquaintances with the mare, who is yet to taste defeat under his stewardship, Laurie feels she is primed to preserve her flawless record at Caulfield when she makes her fourth competitive outing at “The Heath.”

“Her work over the weekend and again this morning was excellent, so we think we’ve got her back on track,” Laurie told ANZ News. “I was probably a little disappointed straight after the Feehan, but on reflection, meeting Pride Of Jenni after the setback we had was probably a pretty tough task …

“If she runs well on Saturday, then it’s all systems go for the Cox Plate. A few other horses have really put their hands up in recent weeks so it’s going to be a fascinating race, but I’m fairly confident that she’ll remind people she’s still a live contender come Saturday.”

Only four horses will race in the Might And Power, with the Oct. 9 scratch of Light Infantry Man.

Buckaroo’s trainer Waller admits he’s no fan of such contests.

“Less to beat,” Waller said of the main positive to small fields. “(But) I don’t like no pace in any race—I’m a big fan of pacemakers, if they brought them in. It makes it easier for the punters (and) everyone to predict. Less pace (more) unpredictable, so it wouldn’t suit him.”

Pinstriped Primed for Toorak

Enver Jusufovic believes Pinstriped is ready to hit peak fitness ahead of Saturday’s Toorak Handicap (G1) at Caulfield. The gelding, who gave Jusufovic his first group 1 victory in last year’s Memsie Stakes, will have his fourth run of the campaign as he looks to return to his best.

“He’s reaching peak fitness now and barriers haven’t helped in his previous runs,” Jusufovic said. “But I’m really happy with the horse and he’s drawn well to get a favorable run. He had a better run last time, but he still wasn’t able to go when I would’ve liked and then he got checked by the Hayes runner (Arkansaw Kid) halfway up the straight and he is a horse that needs momentum and an unimpeded run. I was very happy with how he performed and I’m looking forward to Saturday.”

After finishing seventh in the P B Lawrence Stakes (G2) and last in the Memsie, Pinstriped produced an improved fifth in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (G1) Sept. 20, his first start under jockey Jamie Mott, who retains the ride. While Pinstriped led in the Memsie, Jusufovic said that was against his natural pattern and expects barrier 2 to allow him to settle just off the speed.

“He’s not a leader, so we’ll forget that run in the Memsie Stakes,” he said. “I wouldn’t say he’s over all his niggles, but he is well managed by the team and he’s as well as I could have him. Jamie came down and galloped him on Tuesday, and his first word was ‘brilliant.'”