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Group 1 Australasian Oaks winner Vibrant Sun at Moonee Valley in March. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) A perfect front running ride from Mark Zahra has seen Vibrant Sun (+550) lead every step of the way to take out the Group 1 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville for trainers Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr. The daughter of The Autumn Sun was coming off an impressive victory in the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes, where she came from off the speed to run over the top of the leader late, which led many to believe that she would get 2000m at her first attempt. Zahra took his filly to the front to lead from Pulchritudinous (+600), and they put a good space between themselves and the rest of the field, which was led by Coco Sun (+700) as they hit the home straight. However, as Tim Clark shook up his mount on the outside of the leader, Zahra was saving the winner for one final sprint, and she let down strong to eventually pull away with 200m to go. Private Legacy (+1600) and Coco Sun flew home and put in a lunge on the winning post but just missed as Zahra got absolutely everything out of Vibrant Sun, recording a win by the barest of margins. 2024 Australasian Oaks Replay – Vibrant Sun Michael Kent Jnr represented the stable post-race and he was elated with the win. “We always liked her. She won her maiden by seven lengths and went to the Thousand Guineas,” Kent Jnr said. “Third-up, 2000 metres, straight to the front, it was a huge win. “She missed a run in the Auraria when she had a little setback, so it’s a massive job by the whole team at home. “She was there to be beaten. It was a huge effort. Awesome result for everybody.” “We’ll take stock and talk to everybody. She doesn’t have to go anywhere now, she’s a Group 1 winner. We’ll work that out on Monday morning.” Mark Zahra was very complimentary of the winner in his post-race interview. “Really gutsy. I couldn’t have her much slower in the run,” Zahra said of the winner. “I took my time getting there, but that’s as steady as I could go, but she’s got a high cruising speed. “I dropped my rein halfway down the straight and I couldn’t pick it up, it was too long. “I just kept riding her along. It was a good gutsy win. “Probably a little bit (out on her feet), which she was entitled to be. “I’ve won a Caulfield Cup dropping the reins, so it still counts. It’s not ideal, but I’m riding light today and a win is a win.” Horse racing news View the full article

The Mark Zahra-ridden Vibrant Sun produced a gritty performance to capture the 2024 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville on Saturday. Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr., the daughter of The Autumn Sun defied a slight setback that forced her to miss the traditional lead-up race, the Auraria Stakes. Despite the lack of a recent run, Vibrant Sun’s fitness from her victory in the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m) proved sufficient for the longer distance. Zahra executed a masterful ride, taking the lead early and dictating the pace. He skillfully guided her around the bend, conserving enough energy for a crucial late push. On the home turn, reigning NZ Oaks winner Pulchritudinous challenged Vibrant Sun for the lead, briefly taking the advantage. However, Vibrant Sun dug deep, regaining the lead with 250m remaining and holding off a strong finishing surge from the competition. Two other The Autumn Sun fillies, Private Legacy and Coco Sun, rounded out the placings, finishing second and third respectively. The pre-race favourite, Wings Of Song, saw her six-race winning streak snapped as she finished a respectable fourth. “We always liked her,” co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr told Racing.com. “Third-up, 2000 metres, straight to the front, huge effort by the filly. “Missed a run in the Auraria, had a little set back, so massive job by the whole team back at home. “What a gutsy effort by the filly. Huge run. “She was there to be beaten. “Awesome result for everybody.” With her maiden Group 1 victory secured, Vibrant Sun may now be given a well-deserved break. The decision on her participation in the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival features will be made later. 2024 Australasian Oaks Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 6 VIBRANT SUN Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Mark Zahra 11 56kg $6 2 12 PRIVATE LEGACY Gregory Hickman Craig Williams 0.1L 9 56kg $18 3 8 COCO SUN Tony & Calvin McEvoy Ms Jamie Kah 0.2L 3 56kg $8.50 4 2 WINGS OF SONG Patrick Payne Jake Noonan 0.9L 8 56kg $5F 5 1 PULCHRITUDINOUS (NZ) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 1.5L 6 56kg $7 6 10 QUICKSTER Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman Blake Shinn 1.9L 12 56kg $8.50 7 15 BON MISTRESS Ken & Kasey Keys Daniel Stackhouse 3.1L 4 56kg $151 8 7 MOLLYNICKERS Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman Ms Carleen Hefel 3.3L 13 56kg $21 9 3 POSITIVITY (NZ) Andrew Forsman Michael Dee 3.7L 7 56kg $20 10 13 INTO YOU Shay Keating Ms Alana Kelly 4.2L 10 56kg $41 11 14 THE AUTUMN BELLE Henry Dwyer Beau Mertens 4.7L 14 56kg $61 12 5 QUEEN OF DRAGONS Peter & Paul Snowden Damian Lane 4.7L 1 56kg $11 13 9 QALI AL FARRASHA (NZ) Mark Walker Billy Egan 6.5L 16 56kg $41 14 11 CONCELLO Chris Waller James McDonald 6.6L 5 56kg $8 15 4 SERASANA Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock John Allen 9.7L 2 56kg $51 16 16 INFINITY IMPERIAL Liam Howley Chad Schofield 27L 15 56kg $201 19e SHUT THAT D’OR Garret Lynch Sairyn Fawke 0 18e SEEKING STARDOM Andrew Gluyas 0 17e HARVEST MOON Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Ms Winona Costin 0 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Vibrant Sun Shines Brightest in Australasian Oaks Results 2024 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

If Apostrophe (NZ) (Tavistock) has run her final race, the talented mare signed off on a successful career in style with a powerful finish to capture the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Apostrophe was purchased by her trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood for $60,000 at Karaka in 2019 and debuted in the middle of her three-year-old season and has aged like fine wine with each racing season bringing new heights for the now six-year-old mare. This term has been the best yet with her familiar barnstorming finishes coming to the fore in stakes company, narrowly missing Group success in the Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) in January going down by a head, and it was the same story back at Trentham two starts later with a long neck separating her from victory in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m). Stepping out over 2100m in the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes last time out, Apostrophe dominated the fillies and mares’ feature, and punters expected a repeat performance at Te Rapa backing her into $1.60 favouritism ahead of Saint Alice (So You Think) ($7). The daughter of Tavistock was settled just worse than midfield by regular rider Masa Hashizume, with pacemaker Madame Le Fay (Smart Missile) taking control at the top. Last year’s Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) winner Val Di Zoldo (NZ) (War Decree) made a break on the field turning for home, Apostrophe having a decent margin to make up with 300m to go. She used the entire length of the Te Rapa straight to reel in her rivals, but the mare provided her signature late sprint to narrowly secure the victory over Saint Alice by a half-head, with Final Purchase (NZ) (Savabeel) running into third ahead of Val Di Zoldo, whose jockey Wiremu Pinn did a sterling effort to round out the top four after losing an iron late in the race. James admired the performance of the mare, and indicated she may have made her final appearance on race-day after the Group Two feature. “That was a tremendous effort today, halfway down the straight I though she couldn’t win, but she often does that, she hits a flat patch then sprints quickly. She did that at the end of a mile, and now has done it at the end of 2000m,” James said. “Whether we go on I don’t know, she has had soundness issues and she’s done what every breeder wants to do with a mare, and she’s rising seven. This could be her last run. “All credit to the staff at home, she’s high maintenance and there’s a lot of icing, poulticing and bandaging that goes into a horse like this. It’s a team effort, and it brings our team together when you get a win like this too.” The Cambridge horseman paid credit to long-term Kingsclere Stables client Jim Hannan, who has had a string of success in thoroughbred ownership alongside his late wife Helen. Based in Invercargill, the couple won the 1997 edition of Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) with their first horse in Foxwood (NZ) (Centaine), and also were victorious in the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2000m) of 2000 with Spottswoode (NZ) (Centaine). “This win was made far more special by Jim Hannan being here, he was up at 5 o’clock this morning, well into his 80’s, to catch a flight, and has been to Matamata to see his yearling as well. It would’ve made his day,” James said. “His first horse with me was Foxwood who won a 2000 Guineas, and he’s been a very loyal and lucky owner since.” In a 21-start career, Apostrophe has earned $314,810 in stakes with seven wins and six minor placings for the Inglewood Partnership, and was bred by the Greenwich Stud Pty Ltd. View the full article

Two years after taking out the Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) with Carolina Reaper (NZ) (Vespa), Matamata trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall have repeated and surpassed that result with a one-three finish headed by the rising star Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock).  The time-honoured autumn showpiece was run for the 150th time on Saturday, a week later than expected and at a new home of Te Rapa due to the abandonment of the Ellerslie meeting last weekend. But despite the unusual circumstances, Snazzytavi produced a performance that will take a special place in the Easter Handicap’s recent history.  The four-year-old daughter of Tavistock was having only the 10th start of her career, and she settled near the back of a strung-out field for jockey Warren Kennedy. Coming up to the home turn, she had only three horses behind her and was close to 10 lengths from the lead.  But then Kennedy brought Snazzytavi to the outside and let her rip down the Te Rapa straight. She charged past nine rivals within the space of a few powerful strides, taking command at the 150m mark and opening up a winning margin of three and three-quarter lengths.  Making the result even sweeter for Richardson and Norvall, the winner’s stablemate Channel Surfer (NZ) (Derryn) also produced an eye-catching finish into third.  “That was enormous, and what a great run from the third horse too,” Richardson said. “I can’t wait until next year with Snazzytavi. I think she’ll get up over more ground in time as well – she just needs to learn a little bit more about being a racehorse. Races like the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m) and Zabeel Classic (Gr.1, 2000m) are great targets that we can try to work towards.  “Channel Surfer will be even better next year too. He’s just a little bit funny in the head, but he’s a very cool horse and has much more in front of him.”  Snazzytavi capped a four-win day for Kennedy, who had previously scored aboard Tomodachi (NZ) (Tarzino), Thooza (NZ) (Almanzor) and Freeze Frame (NZ) (Vadamos).  “I think the step back down to the mile today suited her – she’ll get up over further in time, but at the moment she’s just not quite doing everything right over those longer distances,” the premiership-leading jockey said.  “But she can really turn it on. They went at a good clip out in front, and then she made up five or six lengths in the space of about 100m in the straight. It was really quick, really sharp, and she sustained it to the line. I think they’ll have a lot of fun with her next season, and I think she can definitely be up to that Group One sort of level in time.”  Snazzytavi has now had 10 starts for five wins, four placings and $231,275 in stakes. She began the season with only one win and one placing to her name from three appearances, but has made giant strides in her four-year-old preparation with four wins out of seven. She also placed behind Town Cryer (NZ) (Tavistock) in the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) in February.  Saturday’s win was a case of so close, but so far for long-time Easter Handicap sponsor Bryan Black, who races the gallant runner-up Chattahoochee (NZ) (Reliable Man).  “Our champion ran a great race but was just beaten by a better one today,” he said. “It was a fantastic race and there’s nothing wrong with being second.”  Snazzytavi is raced by Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay. The Easter Handicap was the second leg of a Group double on the Te Rapa card for former Cambridge Stud stallion Tavistock, who also sired the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) winner Apostrophe (NZ).  “It’s not often you beat the sponsor,” Lindsay said with a hint of embarrassment. “We came into today thinking we had a good chance, but we certainly didn’t expect her to win it as easily as she did.  “We didn’t breed this one ourselves, but we liked what we saw from her in a trial and we bought her off Gordon Cunningham. Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall have done a terrific job with her.  “Jo and I just love our racing, and there’s nothing quite like winning a Group race like this with such a promising mare – and especially when she’s a daughter of our late stallion Tavistock.” View the full article

Progressive filly Tomodachi (NZ) (Tarzino) provided a fitting result in the opening event at Te Rapa on Saturday, a day where one of the greats of the New Zealand training ranks was remembered after the passing of Dave “DJ” O’Sullivan twenty-four hours earlier. The Sir Peter Vela-bred and owned daughter of Tarzino is trained by O’Sullivan’s legendary jockey and now trainer son Lance, in partnership with Andrew Scott and as she hit the line in front there were many dabbing away tears at the result. Guided to perfection by National Jockeys’ premiership leader Warren Kennedy, Tomodachi came with an irresistible finish to score comfortably from Taranaki visitor Bridal Train (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) and Solidify (NZ) (Redwood) in the three-year-old 1600m contest. Scott was quick to thank racing fans for their kind wishes to the O’Sullivan family and Wexford Stable staff after the race. “It was great for all the team at home and on behalf of team Wexford we’d like to thank everyone for their support and messages as it means a lot to us,” Scott said. “What a promising filly she is for Sir Peter as she won with a bit in hand and hopefully we can take her to Brisbane with a bit of confidence after a chat with Sir Peter. “She is a very promising stayer and will make a Group (stakes) horse in time as she has just quickened so well today. “We’ve had to teach her to stay, so to see her kick on is great and she is bred to go a lot further.” Tomodachi is out of Vela’s lightly raced High Chaparral mare Quintessentially (NZ) and comes from a female line that includes horses of the calibre of multiple Group One winner Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm) and Hong Kong Cup (1600m) winner Romanee Conti (NZ) (Sir Tristram). Kennedy was full of praise for the effort. “She was just fantastic and was a real treat today as she did everything right,” he said. “She settled really well and when I let her build into the race she quickened nicely. “She was looking around and waiting for a challenge after I hit the front as she wanted something to chase.” Tomodachi has now won three races in a row after finishing third at Taupo on debut. The win equalled the O’Sullivan/Scott partnership’s previous best for a season of 49 wins, with three months of the current racing season still to come. View the full article