Victory to Vicenza

A filly that trialled well, Vicenza  (3 f Sacred Falls - Tonic, Blues Traveller) notched victory at her fourth start in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres on 20 February at Gisborne.

Bred and owned by Paul Ryan, from the first crop of quadruple Group One winner Sacred Falls (O'Reilly), out of triple stakes' winning mare Tonic (Blues Traveller), Vicenza was given a reprieve after her first outing in September and hit form immediately in both races before winning.

After closing strongly for fourth when resuming in the Maiden 1200 metres on 7 January at Matamata, won by stable-mate and subsequent smart winner Phantom Witness (Star Witness), she was good through the line (fifth) in the same closing 600m (35.4) as first and second in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 2 February at Matamata. So, her form warranted respect. 

In a race that stacked up perfectly, Vicenza was able to track a competitive pace three back on the inner, travelled sweetly approaching the home turn and rounded off with plenty of authority to win well. With race favourite Dedoje (Rubick) running on empty after contesting the pace, Vicenza was able to gun him down.

Presented in slick condition, the near-black filly was ably assisted in the saddle by Ryan Elliot, running the 1400 metres in 1:24.0, last 600m in 35.8, and paid $4.40 & $2.00 on the NZ TAB tote. The race was sponsored by Kenilworth Plumbing. 

“It worked out well from a good gate (1) and she was able to let the speed go,” Richards said. “She got a nice soft run, peeled, and attacked the line.

“She's not overly big, but she's got a big heart, is willing, and tries hard. She's got all the right attributes that you look for in a racehorse. 

“I was really pleased to get the win for Paul Ryan. He's a great supporter of racing and it's terrific to have a horse in the stable for him. He's had an association with our family for a long time because Dad actually won on the mother of this filly. 

“It's been terrific to bring horses down here to the East Coast Circuit, and support the community of Wairoa, and great to pick up a win as well.”

Ryan also owned and raced her dam, Tonic, the South Island Filly of the Year in 2003, who was coincidentally ridden in two of her three stakes victories by Paul Richards (father of trainer Jamie Richards). Transferring her race record to become a prolific producer, Tonic has now left six individual winners of 24 races. Vicenza is line bred to both Northern Dancer and Centaine. 

The victory provided Richards with his 84^thsuccess this season in New Zealand (85 in total incl. Australia), to lead the premiership by 15, at a strike rate of 4.9 and prize money almost $5 million (NZ and Australia).

Vicenza was strapped by Reece Trumper.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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