Russian Revolution Makes It Three In A Row In Vain Stakes

Russian Revolution led from start to finish to record a gutsy victory in the 2016 Vain Stakes at Caulfield this afternoon.

Russian Revolution held-off a flying Highland Beat to take out the Vain Stakes at Caulfield this afternoon. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos

Russian Revolution held-off a flying Highland Beat to take out the Vain Stakes at Caulfield this afternoon. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos

Mark Zahra took Russian Revolution straight to the lead in the early stages of the Vain Stakes and he travelled nicely before he was challenged by Valliano at the top of the straight.

Russian Revolution kicked away from his rival and had enough left in the tank to hold-off a flying Highland Beat to take out the Vain Stakes, while Hardham failed the line strongly to finish third.

Mark Zahra spent a couple of days in the sauna to get his weight down to the 55 kilograms required to ride Russian Revolution and he was delighted that his hard-work had paid off with a Vain Stakes victory.

“He was all out with 100 to go, but when he felt the horse coming inside him he did enough,” Zahra said.

“55 is my limit and I am just happy for an opportunity with the Snowdens and that the horse hung on.”

Team Snowden stable representative Jackson Biers was quick to pay credit to the front-running ride of Mark Zahra as well as the toughness that Russian Revolution showed in the final stages of the race.

Biers believes that Russian Revolution still has plenty of improvement left in front of him and he believes that there is more in store for the son of Snitzel this preparation.

“It was a really tough win,” Biers said.

“He is a green horse that is still learning his trade and it was a nice front-running ride from Mark.

“He had to do it out where on his own and they all had their chance to get out there and get him, but they couldn’t get there.

“He has only had three starts, he is a young horse, he is a green horse and he has plenty of ability.

“He is a lovely colt and he will improve from that as well.

“He is a horse that Peter and Paul have thought a lot of from the first time that he came to the stable and we keep raising the bar and he keeps jumping over it.”

Highland Beat showed that a throat operation has had a positive impact, while Hardham caught the eye and looks like a potential Caulfield Guineas type.

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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.