Vinevale Back in Form

The NZ Racing Desk reports:

Progressive mare Vinevale promoted her cause for bigger assignments with an impressive win in the final race at Te Rapa yesterday.

On a day where most winners came from handy positions, the Flying Spur four-year-old made the most of a superb ride from jockey Mark Du Plessis, who managed to find an economical run from a wide barrier back in the field. He then set out after the tearaway pacemakers Ali Baba and Alamer, and Vinevale surged at the pair close to the line to score by a neck over a brave Ali Baba.

The win, which took Vinevale's tally to three from 10 starts, ended a frustrating day for her trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, who were left with only one runner after the abandonment of the Awapuni meeting.

“She's got plenty of ability, but hasn't had a lot of luck and everything went well today,” Autridge said. “It was a big effort to come from off the pace at the 600 metres, but she really found the line. She's good enough to reach top-class.

“She galloped very well on Tuesday, is handling the training and racing and being out of a Zabeel mare it should just keep happening.”

Bred and raced by Brent and Cherry Taylor of Trelawney Stud, Vinevale is from the race-winning mare, Eden Valley, who is a sister to multiple stakes winner Hill of Grace.

“I thought Mark rode her beautifully and got her into a nice spot from a wide alley, and although she looked a bit flat coming into the straight, once he balanced her up she ran home very well,” said Brent Taylor.

“The comment from the boys is that she is now looking for more ground. We always thought she would be able to, but we're pleased to see that she is heading that way and can't wait to give her a chance.

“It's taken 10 starts to get into this position and hopefully she can show what we think she's capable of.”

Trelawney Stud will offer a half-brother to Vinevale by Pins at the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale on January 30 at Karaka.