Our Vespa To Press On To Caulfield Guineas

Talented Kiwi colt Our Vespa is set to press on to the 2014 Caulfield Guineas on October 11 after he made his Australian racing debut with a credible sixth in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) yesterday.

Our Vespa finished sixth behind Rich Enuff in the 2014 Caulfield Guineas Prelude at Caulfield yesterday.

Our Vespa finished sixth behind Rich Enuff (pictured) in the 2014 Caulfield Guineas Prelude at Caulfield yesterday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Our Vespa was settled in a lovely position on the rails behind the leaders in the early stages of the Caulfield Guineas Prelude, but he was badly checked by Gai Waterhouse-trained Liberation at the 200 metre mark and finished sixth.

Trainer Johno Benner told The New Zealand Racing Desk that he believes Our Vespa was unlucky not to finish in the placings and he confirmed that the Elusive City colt had come out of the race well and would likely back-up in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas in just under a fortnight.

“Luckily, he’s pulled up well,” Benner said.

Mark Du Plessis was adamant he would have finished second.

“He was gutsy to come back and get to the line the way he did.

“We’ll monitor him over the next few days, but I don’t see why he shouldn’t have a crack at it.

“We have to put Sunday behind us and move on – I don’t think the mile will be a problem at all.”

Our Vespa made his racing debut in Wanganui in September of 2013 and he recorded his maiden race win with a dominant performance in the Central Automotive Handicap (800m) at Otaki on November 14.

The talented colt made it two wins from as many starts when he took out the Phil Cataldo Bloodstock Handicap (1000m) at Trentham on December 7 before he made his debut at Group level with a third place finish in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.

Our Vespa returned to winning form with an all the way win in the Listed Karaka Millions (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 26 and he scored the biggest win of his racing career when he took out the Group 1 Haunui Farm Diamond Stakes (1200m) at the same venue on March 8.

The three-year-old returned to racing with a tough win in the Listed Westbury Stud Challenge Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka on September 13 before his luckless sixth in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) on September 28.

Our Vespa is currently available at 2014 Caulfield Guineas odds of $13 with Ladbrokes Australia, while Caulfield Guineas Prelude winner Rich Enuff ($3.80) is now favourite from Almalad ($4.80) and Looks Like The Cat ($5).

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.