| Tony Gollan all but declared Vega One before the race and his confidence was justified when the emerging galloper landed the $1 million Pacific Fair Magic Millions Cup (RL, 1400m) on the Gold Coast on Saturday. |
The son of Lope De Vega improved his record to five wins from 17 starts – and almost $1 million in prizemoney with a dominant performance under popular jockey Michael Rodd. Vega One was allowed to find his feet midfield in the three-wide line before improving his position from the 600m and eventually claiming the lead inside the final 150m. On the line, the gelding held a half-length margin over Redouble and Sambro. Gollan believes Vega One, a $75,000 purchase at the 2017 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, could develop into a Stradbroke Handicap contender later in the year. “I was pretty happy pre-race and I’m even happier past-race,” Gollan said. “I knew he was going really good this horse and I’ve just had a really good preparation with him.” “It was always the plan to go four weeks between runs into this, we won The Gateway on the way here and that sort of sealed out fate to get him to the Stradbroke later this year.” “I was very confident with Michael (Rodd) on board, we’ve had a lot of success together and he’s a cool character and he got the job done.” The win broke a 17-year Magic Millions drought for Michael Rodd, who won the 2YO Classic on Regimental Gal in 2003. The Singapore-based jockey predicted a big future for the four-year-old. “Tony was very confident with the horse, he pretty much declared him to me before the race,” Rodd said. “I sort of changed plans a little bit and thought I’d go back to an arrogant, confident ride and if the horse is going that well, hopefully he’s too good for them.” “He’s still learning what it’s all about but he’s going to be a really nice horse in time.” Vega One’s half-brother by Snitzel was sold for $800,000 on Wednesday to a collection of big bloodstock players including Dermot Farrington, Aquis and Brae Sokolski. |
