Six Win Saturday - No. 5 Vamos Bebe

Putting a fresh-up glitch behind her, Vamos Bebe (5 m I Am Invincible - Hurtle Myrtle, by Dane Shadow) unleashed an impressive performance in $30,000 Comag Rating 74 1200 metres on Saturday at Matamata.

After never getting into race from wide draw (12) when resuming in Rating 74 1200 metres on 18 September at Hastings, Vamos Bebe was given time (35 days) by trainer Jamie Richards and delivered off a front running ride by Danielle Johnson.

Utilizing barrier two, Vamos Bebe travelled on the bridle, with company to her outside, but once in the straight she sprinted clear under a hand ride to win by four and a quarter lengths. While beating a tidy field, it was little more than an exercise gallop.

Breaking 1:10 (1:09.9) for 1200 metres on Dead4 footing, Vamos Bebe held solid in betting to pay $2.40 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

“We'd been happy with her leading into Hastings, where she never got into it, but from a better draw today she was able to take up a forward position and found a really good kick to put them away,” said trainer Jamie Richards.

“She obviously a handy mare and there's plenty of options around Christmas for her, a race like the Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m), or whether she continues to improve towards the better sprinting races.

“It's one step at a time with her. She's had issues, but really pleased with the way she was able to win.

“Hunter (Durrant) and Laura (Macnab) at the Uni Barn have done a good job with her. She'll only continue to improve, and it was a nice ride by Danielle (Johnson), stacking them up in front and sprinting clear.”

Richly bred, Vamos Bebe is by the leading sire (wins) in Australia, I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), from Hurtle Myrtle (Dane Shadow), who won the Myer Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m), Dane Ripper Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) and Sapphire Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m).

Trelawney Stud managing director Brent Taylor, who shares her in ownership with wife Cherry and mother Faith, had previously explained how it came about.

“Cherry and I picked her out as a yearling in Sydney, and she actually passed in through the ring,” Taylor had said. “We went back and were able to buy her from her breeder, Kevin Maloney, at Segenhoe Stud, with the aid of their general manager Peter O'Brien, who is a very good friend of ours, and we secured her for our racing team.”

At home on this occasion, Taylor was again pleased to see Vamos Bebe notch her third win from eight starts.

“It was great to see her back and winning like that,” he said. “She looked good.

“After Boxing Day, we decided to take her quietly and if she looked like remaining sound then could resume racing. Jamie (Richards) has done a really good job. It's a bit day by day, and if we think she's had enough we'll stop, because we know she's got enormous amounts of ability and we don't need to force that issue.

“But, if she wants to be a racehorse and continues to enjoy it and remain sound then we'll keep running her because we think that she's got more to give in the future than what we've seen in the past.

“She's not the easiest mare to train, given her circumstances, and Jamie and his team are doing a wonderful job. We are very happy with the way things have progressed so far.

“She's a little bit like our mare Two Illicit, who won last week at Hastings, if they're going well they've each got an enormous amount of ability. If they're not running up to their ability, it's hard to be competitive up in grade, but when they are they're hard to beat.

Vamos Bebe was strapped by Reece Trumper.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz