Trainer Chris Waller has confirmed that Vanbrugh will not be included in the 2015 Victoria Derby field and has been sent to the spelling.
Vanbrugh will not run in the 2015 Victoria Derby at Flemington on Saturday. Photo by: Steve Hart
There was plenty of hype surrounding Vanbrugh before the start of the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival and he was touted as a Golden Rose contender, but those plans were changed after he failed to fire in the Listed The Rosebud (1200m) at Royal Randwick on August 8.
Waller opted to step Vanbrugh up in distance and he was able to return to winning form in the All Too Hard At Vinery Handicap (1600m) at Warwick Farm on September 9 and he stamped himself as a genuine contender for the Victoria Derby when he took out the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 26 and the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on October 10.
Vanbrugh remained in work following his victory in the Spring Champion Stakes and remained a chance to progress to the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington this weekend, but Waller revealed on Saturday that the Encosta De Lago colt would head to the spelling paddock for a break before he is set races like the Group 1 Royal Randwick Guineas (1600m), Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m), Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and Group 1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m) during the 2015 Autumn Racing Carnival.
“It has been decided that Vanbrugh will be spelled and will not progress through to the VRC Derby,” Waller said in a statement.
“It was a tough decision to make, however when taking into account the longevity of Vanbrugh’s career as a colt and a future stallion prospect, we believe that there are opportunities to further stamp himself as a superior colt in the Autumn in races such as the Randwick/Australian Guineas, Rosehill Guineas and Doncaster Handicap.
“He will be sent to spell on Monday and will take no further part in the spring.”
The withdrawal of Vanbrugh has led to some dramatic changes to the 2015 Victoria Derby betting market and Mick Price-trained Tarzino is now a dominant favourite at Victoria Derby odds of $2.50 following his fast-finishing third in the Moonee Valley Vase.
Get The Picture finished fourth behind Sacred Eye in the Group 3 Ladbrokes Caulfield Classic (2000m) and he is on the second line of betting from Western Australian galloper Kia Ora Koutou ($8.50), Geelong Classic winner Extra Choice ($10), John Moloney-trained Pay Up Bro ($10), Caulfield Guineas placegetter Lizard Island ($11) and Godolphin-owned Shards ($13).
