Vilanova (NZ) Scores Group 2 Victory in Melbourne Debut

A brilliant last-to-first victory by Vilanova (NZ) (Commands) in the Group 2 A$221,000 BMW Caulfield Autumn Classic (1800m) on Saturday has seen the gelding deliver on the promise he showed as a two-year-old.

Vilanova (NZ) triumphant in the Group 2 BMW Caulfield Autumn Classic.

Bred by Gary Cranny, Frantic Bloodstock Ltd & Haunui Bloodstock Ltd, Vilanova is the first foal out of the Group 3 winner Valpolicella (Red Ransom). David Ellis purchased Vilanova for $150,000 from Haunui Farm from the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale.

Now trained in Australia by Chris Waller, the son of Commands started his career in New Zealand with Jason Bridgman when known as Catalonia, winning the Listed Wentwood Grange Stakes at only his second start.

The three-year-old had been consistent without winning in Australia, with three stakes placings. He was having his first start in Melbourne on Saturday, ridden by Craig Newitt who dropped the gelding to the tail of the field from barrier 9 in the 12-horse field.

At the top of the straight Vilanova was still last, where he was pulled to the very outside by Newitt, producing an electric turn of foot to blast past the field to a decisive 1.5 length victory.

“It is great to see him return to the form he showed as a two-year-old,” commented Waller. “He had always shown us ability and it was very pleasing to see him display that in a Group 2 on Saturday. It was an excellent return to winning form and we hope to see him go on from here.

“He still has an acceptance for the Australian Guineas but there is the Alister Clarke Stakes the week later at Moonee Valley over 2000m which is an option for him. The way he relaxed in his race on Saturday the extra distance shouldn’t be a problem for him.”

Saturday’s victory was the second in the career of Vilanova following his Listed win in New Zealand. He has earned A$321,164 for his Singapore owner Tang Weng Fai and Mr N Morgan.