Vickezzlastcall Downs Them All

Presented in terrific order, grey filly Vickezzlastcall (3 f Wrote – Vickezzchardonnay, by Don Eduardo) recorded a second-up victory in the $17,000 Container Co Maiden 2YO & 3YO 1400 metres on 6 July at Tauranga.

Better for her debut outing when settling rearward from the outside gate (12) and running home strongly for fifth in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 15 June at Matamata, Vickezzlastcall appeared ideally placed to rate a top three chance.

With former Te Akau apprentice, having recently returned from Queensland, Samantha Collett aboard, Vickezzlastcall was able to utilise barrier one to situate handily on the inner in fourth. She came up on the bridle nearing the 600m and once sighting clear air in the straight, she led at the 200m and kept finding.

“She tried so hard,” said Collett, on return to the birdcage. “She’s still obviously new to the game, but will improve on that.

“She was really willing, kept putting in, and has the ability to improve on whatever she’s done today.”

On testing Heavy10 footing, Vickezzlastcall ran 1400 metres in 1:32.8, last 600m in 39.8, and firmed in betting to pay $4.60 & $1.60 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was a good win and lovely ride of Sam Collett’s,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson. 

“She secured the box seat, peeled out at the right time, and, obviously, she gets through wet ground really well.

“It’s great to get the support of Tony Rider and always good to see his colours win races. 

“She should keep improving and grow in confidence with the win, and we expect, if she keeps doing well, that she’ll be competitive up in grade through the winter months.”

Bred and owned by Tony Rider, at Milan Park (Cambridge), Vickezzlastcall is a half-sister to Te Akau trained triple stakes' winner Aromatic (Sacred Falls), and from a family that handles yielding ground.

Like Aromatic, Vickezzlastcall is also a grey and shares physical attributes, including a nice deep girth. 

Similarly, Aromatic broke through at her third start, following two seconds, with an effortless victory in the Pearl Series Maiden 1400 metres on 18 March, 2020, at Rotorua.

She also ended her racing career in top form, finishing second in the Group Three Counties Cup on 23 November at Pukekohe, while defending her title from 2023. 

A Group Two winner of the Travis Stakes over 2000m, while adding the Group Three Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes, in addition to the Counties Cup, she registered six wins and placed 14 times from 32 starts, earning $419,300 in prize money, before selling as a broodmare earlier this year on Gavelhouse for $257,500. 

In addition to her three stakes' wins last season, Aromatic included seconds in the Group Three Metric Mile (1550m), Listed Staphanos Classic (1950m), Group Three Cuddle Stakes (1600m), and was also third in the Group Three Waikato Cup (2400m). She was the quintessential race mare in many respects, good-looking and kind, while understanding her role as a tough and talented racehorse.

The dam of the pair, Vickezzchardonnay, by the highest priced yearling to ever sell at Karaka – Don Eduardo ($3.6 million) (Zabeel) – was an impressive five-time winner from 1600m to 2100m, and has now left four winners of 10 races. 

Fifth in the 2008 Group One New Zealand Oaks and second in the Listed Warstep Stakes during her three-year-old season, Vickezzchardonnay went on to win the Group Three Taranaki Cup, finish third in the Group Two NZ Cup, and fourth in the Group One Auckland Cup, Group Two Wellington Cup, Group Two Travis Stakes, and Group Three Rotorua Cup, underlining what a genuine mare she was.

Vickezzchardonnay is a half-sister to impressive winning race mare Fifty Fifty (Justice Prevails), who left seven winners of 15 races including stakes' performer Balham (Don Eduardo). 

Vickezzlastcall was strapped by Rhiannon Smith. 

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz