In Vegas plays winning hand in Gore Cup

[Wandering Eyes]

Underrated mare In Vegas (NZ) (Telperion) often steps up at the right time for Centaine Spittles and she did just that at Gore on Sunday, delivering a stylish victory in the MLT Gore Cup (2000m).

A winner of five races prior to Sunday’s feature, In Vegas has shown her class on numerous occasions, including a narrow second to Matscot in last season’s Hororata Gold Cup (1800m), and more recently, placing to Jon Ol Rocco and Titicaca in respective races over New Zealand Cup Week.

Last Saturday, the mare finished ninth but just two lengths from the winner in Times Ticking in the Marlborough Cup (2000m), but that was enough to place her among the middle market on the back-up at Gore, closing at $14.

As anticipated, Riviera Rebel went straight to the lead approaching the first turn, where a number of horses were forced three and four wide on the track, including two of the favourites in Smooth Operator and Loftys Gift. Meanwhile, In Vegas had settled beautifully back in the field for Akshay Balloo, who steered her out into clear air as the field compressed ranks turning for home.

A game Loftys Gift had been trapped wide throughout and hit the lead early in the straight, holding the lead for a long way before In Vegas came powering over the top to take the Cup by a half-length.

Spittles was rapt with the performance, having plenty of faith that her mare could deliver on Sunday.

“I was expecting this from her today, she didn’t have any excuses and that was her at her best,” Spittles said. “She’s more than capable of showing this, but she’s a mare with a few body problems and I was pretty sure I had her right.

“It was great to get confirmation of that.”

The Gore Cup was the first of the Southern Cups Bonus Series races, which culminates in a $50,000 bonus for the horse earning the highest amount of points across five events. The series will continue with the Invercargill Cup (2600m) on February 15, a race that may feature In Vegas.

“It (the series) has been a goal in the back of our minds without being set, we’ll get her home first and then decide whether we go back down to Invercargill,” Spittles said.

“It’s a massive trip, we came down here on Friday and aren’t leaving until tomorrow, it’s nine hours each way. It’s a lot to ask to do again in a couple of weeks, but she ran second over 2600m at Riccarton during Cup Week, so she definitely can get the distance.

“I think 2000-2200 is her best range, even though she ran second there it did take it out of her a little bit for a week or so afterwards.

“It’s not the end of the world if we find other races.”

Bred by Grassyards Farm, In Vegas was purchased for just $500 by Spittles through gavelhouse.com, and the Balcairn horsewoman races her alongside Ray Abernathy, Steve Clarke, Steve Lovatt and Alison Tilson. In 31 starts, the daughter of Telperion has recorded six wins and $153,730 in stakes for the group.

“She was on Gavelhouse as an unbroken two-year-old, we bought her for $500,” Spittles said.

“I own most of her and a few other guys that have been loyal owners have little shares in her as well. We’ve been pretty lucky with her.”

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