Vegas Queen back on top at Te Rapa
Group Two winner Vegas Queen (NZ) (Proisir) returned to winning form at Te Rapa on Saturday when taking out the Jones Trucking 1200, much to the relief of trainer Kenny Rae.
The Ruakaka horseman said he went into the race in blind faith, having been unable to find a suitable trial in the lead-up to her fresh-up run. However, he was sure he had her cherry ripe for Saturday’s assignment and his judgment was vindicated when the daughter of Proisir ran away to a one length victory over Moschino.
“It was relief more than anything,” Rae said. “I was 98 percent sure I had the horse right and ready but without the trial, and working her at home against our own horses, I wasn’t 100 percent sure.
“But it was a really good effort.”
Following two victories late last year, Vegas Queen put in a couple of uncustomary subpar showings earlier this year, and Rae was pleased to see her back to her usual self on Saturday following a freshen-up.
“We have had a couple of mishaps with her and her bloods weren’t 100 percent,” Rae said. “After Karaka Millions night (15th in Gr.3 Aotearoa Classic, 1600m) we probably should have turned her out then (before running 13th in the Wairere Falls Classic, 1500m).”
Rae has a high opinion of Vegas Queen, so much so that he sent her stakes-winning stablemate Illicit Dreams (NZ) (Vancouver), who he part-owns, south to his daughter Krystal Williams to campaign in Canterbury to separate them.
“I think she (Vegas Queen) is a very tidy animal,” Rae said. “I sent Illicit Dreams down to Christchurch to Krystal for that reason.”
Illicit Dreams was also fresh-up at Riccarton on Saturday where she finished fourth over 1200m, and Rae was happy enough with the run after an unideal float trip south.
“She rubbed her hip a wee bit on the truck going down, it was nobody’s fault, they must have had a rough sailing,” he said. “She seemed alright, Jason Laking worked her and he said she was fine.
“She ran 1:09 and that is probably at her limit. It wasn’t subpar, but I thought it (performance) might have been a wee bit better.”
While down in Canterbury, Rae said he may test Illicit Dreams on Riccarton’s polytrack over winter.
“She will probably go around at Timaru, but I might give her a run on the polytrack and see what she does on it,” he said.
Back home at Ruakaka, Rae has been pleased with the way Vegas Queen has come through her run and said she will likely head to Ellerslie for her next target.
“I put her in the paddock last night and she seems as bright as a button,” he said. “She will go around Ellerslie in two weeks’ time.”
