Sebring colt Our Playboy proved too classy for the more fancied runners in taking out the Group 3 $160,000 Neds Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield today.

Jockey Ben Melham, above, was aboard Our Playboy for his win in the Vain Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Jockey Ben Melham, above, was aboard Our Playboy for his win in the Vain Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Daniel Costello.

The Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr) trained Our Playboy started at the double figure odds of $12 and was too strong at the finish to down Ranting ($6) and the short priced $2.40 favourite Rulership.

Damian Lane set the pace on the Peter and Paul; Snowden trained Rulership while Ben Melham had Our Playboy travelling kindly mid-field.

Rulership led the field into the straight but was under pressure at the 300m from runner up Ranting before Our Playboy appeared on the scene out in the middle of the track to secure a one length victory.

Today’s win was Our Playboy’s third from five starts and Price said that he will keep the colt to sprinting distances from now on.

“He just started to pull half way through the race but the horse has done a good job. Ben Melham has done a good job,” co-trainer Mick Price said.

“I just think we will keep him to sprinting. I don’t think he will get over much of a journey. We bought him to be a sprinting Sebring and that’s what we will do.”

“I thought he showed a bit of stamina towards the end and it was a good effort.”

Second favourite Hydro Star ($4.80) was always near the tail of the field and finished last of the nine runners, 5.45 lengths from the winner.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.