Te Akau Boxing Day Bonanza - Win 3 of 6 - Vamos Bebe

Unlucky not to win on the course at her previous start, Vamos Bebe  (4 m I Am Invincible - Hurtle Myrtle, by Dane Shadow) was given a copybook ride by Danielle Johnson in winning the $60,000 Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m) on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.

After getting back from a wide gate and storming home in the fastest last 600m (33.7) on the day for second in the Rating 74 1200 metres on 28 November at Ellerslie, trainer Jamie Richards elected to tackle a stakes' race and it worked out perfectly. 

The winner of three from six, and never further back than second, Vamos Bebe shaped as a major contender, carrying minimum weight (53kgs), and Johnson had her trailing fourth inner before getting clear three off in the straight and proving too strong in the final analysis.

“It's not something we'd normally do but we thought she was right up there with the best of our three-year-old last year,” Richards said. “She had a couple of immaturity issues and needed some time, and Brent & Cherry and Faith (Taylor) have been rewarded for that.

“It was a really good effort and a lovely ride by Danielle, but she'll get a fair few points for winning well out of her grade.

“She's a very valuable commodity now, especially with her pedigree.”

Strongly supported in betting, Vamos Bebe paid $2.20 & $1.30 after running the 1200 metres in 1:09.7 and last 600m in 33.8.

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).

Race sponsor Mark Baker paid homage to the elite breeding operation at Trelawney Stud.

“In my opinion, they are the best breeders in the country and they've now got another mare with valuable black type,” he said. 

Brent Taylor had said previously: “Cherry and I picked her out as a yearling in Sydney, and she actually passed in through the ring. 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.

“Danielle's ride was superb and Jamie and the team have done a wonderful job to get this mare black type,” Taylor said. 

“We will celebrate the success and take advantage and enjoy all the opportunities when they come along. We really appreciate the efforts of those who have enabled us to be here today.”

Vamos Bebe was strapped by Reece Trumper.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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