NZ 3YOs Rule in Brisbane

Kiwi galloper Vilanova (NZ) (Commands) moved to the top of the betting market for the Group 1 Queensland Derby with a comprehensive victory in the Group 3 A$151,100 Mullins Lawyers Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Vilanova (NZ) racing to victory in the Group 3 Mullins Lawyers Grand Prix Stakes.

The NZ$150,000 Karaka Premier Sale graduate was most impressive, winning by a decisive 3.5 lengths for Sydney’s leading trainer Chris Waller.

“He is a very capable horse,” commented Waller. “It was good to see him live up to the potential he has shown.

“He showed a fair bit of ability last year as a two-year-old and is really starting to put it together as a three-year-old.

“Hopefully he can put in a repeat performance in the Queensland Derby.”

Starting at double figure odds on Saturday, the impressive nature of Vilanova’s win has seen him backed into race-favouritism for the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) on 7 June.

Ridden by Nash Rawiller, Vilanova settled near the tail of the field having jumped from the outside barrier in the 14-horse field. The gelding defied the perceived on-pace racing pattern of the day by running on from the rear.

The Commands gelding put the race beyond doubt early in the home straight as he pounced on the leaders at the 300m with a withering burst, opening up a big margin on the field and holding it to the line.

Vilanova defeated fellow New Zealand-bred and Karaka graduate Pinstripe Lane (NZ) (Pins), who was third past the post but promoted to second after suffering interference from Rudy (Red Dazzler). Race-favourite Amexed (NZ) (Pentire) finished fourth ahead of filly Telepathic (NZ) (Mossman), who managed to finish fifth after racing three-wide without cover.

Saturday’s win was Vilanova’s third victory from 22 starts, all at stakes level. His other victories including the Group 2 Autumn Classic in Melbourne in February and the Listed Wentwood Grange Stakes in New Zealand as a two-year-old when racing under the name Catalonia, trained by Jason Bridgman.

Raced by Tang Weng Fei & Neville Morgan, Vilanova has earned his owners $436,174 in prizemoney. Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis purchased Vilanova for NZ$150,000 at the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale from Haunui Farm.

Gary Cranny, Frantic Bloodstock Ltd & Haunui Bloodstock Ltd bred the gelding who is out of Group 3 and Listed winner (Our) Valpolicella (Red Ransom), whose granddam is the Group 2 winner Doff (Tights).

New Zealand horses dominated the staying races at the feature Brisbane meeting with Zephyron (NZ) (Zabeel) leading home the field in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2200m), with Kiwi horses filling the first seven placings. View the full article here.