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Trainer Steven Burridge continued his recent good run of form when Vaya Condios scored an all-the-way victory in the $75,000 Class 3 Stakes over 1600m on Sunday.
Ridden by Stephen Baster, Vaya Condios ($36) scored a neck victory over Martin (Danny Beasley) with Grand Approach (Joao Moreira) a short-head away third.
Burridge finished Friday night's racing with a treble and with the victory of Vaya Condios it moved him to equal second place on the Trainers' Premiership Table with Michael Freedman on 42 winners, just one shy of six-time premiership winner Laurie Laxon.
Burridge had aspirations of tackling last week's Emirates Singapore Derby over 2000m with Vaya Condios but the gelding needed a victory on July 6 to force his way into the field.
Vaya Condios has only been with Burridge for this preparation which kicked off in May and Sunday's victory was his second for his new trainer.
“He's shown good form since he's come back to racing this time and he's won two races for us,” said Burridge.
“We looked at getting him into the Derby but he needed to win his last race to get into the field.
“Unfortunately he didn't make it but he's done a good job today and I think he showed that he'll get further with that win.
“Stevie (Baster) rode him well as we wanted to be handy with that lightweight and make the others work a bit.
“He's a bit of a day-to-day proposition but he's a good horse. I think he can go a fair way and he'll have no problem getting a bit further.”
Baster, who sits in third place on the Jockey's Premiership Table, said the victory was a hard fought out affair after being tackled by the placegetters.
“He was comfortable in front and was in a happy rhythm,” said Baster. “I did have Champagne Needed back inside me which was annoying me a bit but he lobbed along well in front.
“He gave a good kick early in the straight and I did think the two placegetters had my measure, but he responded really well and in the end it was a good hard fought victory.”
A four-year-old New Zealand-bred by Golan from the Desert Sun mare Our Sportsgirl, Vaya Condios has now recorded four wins from his 14 starts with a further five minor placings and around $170,000 in prizemoney for the Jupiter Stable.
