3 minute read
Vilified ($19 into $16 on TAB), a brave injury plagued half-brother entire to the mighty Yes Yes Yes and a Maher & Eustace discard, is pure inspiration into a Royal Randwick TAB Highway on Saturday.
For respected Wauchope trainer Colt Prosser, with his own revival story, they just don't do what the five-year-old stallion by Press Statement (from Sin Sin Sin) did for his third career win at Coffs Harbour three weeks ago. Sin Sin Sin is the dam of Everest winner Yes Yes Yes.
Colt's galloper has been a revelation in his second preparation after four leg surgeries and another for a wind infirmity.
Vilified came from stone motherless last to win running away in a Class 2, 1000m in a slick 57.98 with 59kg.
Commentators and form students were in near disbelief. But no fluke this.
With 60kg, Vilified was just as powerful winning a Port Macquarie 1000m BM 58 also from rearward previously. Easier races no doubt.
But for a three-race winner with all momentum and form, Vilified is well placed dropping to 56.5kg for regular rider, regional great Peter Graham into a country Class 3, $120,000, 1100m at headquarters.
A particularly strong episode with seven last starts winner.
Vilified was sacked by the high profile national stable after finishing last on debut in a Caulfield maiden in December 2020 and with numerous career threatening issues.
After joining Prosser, Vilified was significantly spelled for 12 months but remained an entire. Over to Colt for an insight.
"I originally bought him as a future sire for my stable, obviously on his breeding and maybe the chance he might recover enough to race," Colt explained.
"All that time off was because of the leg surgeries and the wind infirmity. So much had to be done to get him sound again.
"It was a long time coming but he started to thrive. So, we brought him back in work, just hoping and he's been amazing with those wins.
"You don't see five-year-entires racing. Stallions can be real hard work on a racetrack but he's a beautifully natured animal and so brave after all he's been through.
"And the way he's been winning it was worth bringing him to town. We kept Pete (Graham) on because he understands him thoroughly and how he needs to be ridden.
"With the previous wind issues, he's got to be ridden quiet and kept for one last crack. And that's been working for us.
"Usually, the Press Statement breed needs a mile, but we've kept him at the shorts because of his history. But hard to win these Highways, this is a strong form race."
Meanwhile, fortunes have turned for no more deserving stable than Prosser's. Amidst last year's disastrous floods on the Northern Rivers, Prosser's stables were weeks under water.
A dozen horses were up to their girths in water overnight when over 280m of rain devastated the area and Prosser was unable to truck them out in time.
"Thankfully our racing stock and mares survived. Some of the mares, lost their foals but it's been just an awful two years up here."
On Saturday an unbeaten Highway newcomer in Supido Beauty has to be respected. The Riverina filly trialled at Randwick last month for a target race but was scratched and has been nominated three times.
Scone's Cameron Crockett is on a winning streak and James McDonald combine with the favourite Salire ($4.40 into $3.40) after winning last Saturday's episode at headquarters with Super Extreme.
