Vladivostok rules in Morphettville Group Three

[Wandering Eyes]

Lord Vladivostok (NZ) (Tavistock) posted his biggest win to date on Saturday when successful in the Gr.3 R A Lee Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville.

The four-year-old gelding jumped smartly and settled just off the pacemakers before jockey Todd Pannell made his move with 500m to go. The pair were three-wide coming out of the turn and out-toughed Dr Drill (Dansili) to win by 0.2L with fellow kiwi-bred Vassilator (NZ) (Zacinto) running on for third.

The son of Tavistock, who won twice in New Zealand as Vladivostok for former trainer and co-owner Andrew Campbell, was second up this preparation after finishing third a fortnight ago at the same track and distance.

Trainer Michael Hickmott was thrilled with the performance, especially as one of his biggest supporters and co-owner of Lord Vladivostok Tommy Heptinstall was trackside to enjoy the victory.

“It means a lot (to have him here),” Hickmott said. “Tommy is one of my biggest supporters.

“He supports South Australian racing heavily and it is the first time he has been on course since Werther ran second in the Derby.

“We’ve set this horse for this race for quite a while. I said to the boys to keep backing him, keep backing him, his work on Tuesday was just astonishing.

“I was going to do a bit with him on Thursday but I looked at him and he was spot on.”

Pannell, stepping in for regular rider Jess Eaton who is on the side-lines after a fall at Morphettville last week, was equally impressed with the kiwi-import.

“Round the side I was happy to sit three deep and had that daylight and was able to get that right part of the track,” he said.

“The whole race, he just travelled so kindly throughout. I’ve won on this horse before and he was a little bit aggressive, but today he was a lot more relaxed.”

Heptinstall posted inter-state wins when sharing in the ownership of Summaroca (NZ) (El Roca), the winner of the Royal Ascot Silver Bowl (1400m) at Flemington.

Summaroca lifts to get the win in the Royal Ascot Silver Bowl (1400m) at Flemington. Photo: Quentin Lang

The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained three-year-old is now three wins from six starts after prevailing in a tight finish.

Summaroca was purchased by Busuttin Racing out of Kiltannon Stables’ 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run draft for $60,000.

“He certainly is a horse on the way up after winning on debut his maiden at Bairnsdale. To come to town as a three-year-old with plenty of upside, there is a fair bit to like about him going forward, stable representative Sam Griggs said.

“He had to work a bit early but he got there and got into a good rhythm. Then at the 200 (metre mark) he had every right to drop out but he kept finding in the straight.

“Going forward I think we’ve got a well above average horse and it’s great to win in the Tommy Heptinstall colours. He’s a great backer of the stable. Fantastic to get a winner for him and fantastic for Tom Stockdale (jockey) to get another city winner.”

Fellow New Zealand Bloodstock graduate Vegas Knight (Declaration of War) was back in the winner’s circle, also getting the nod in a tight finish in the final race on the card at Flemington under a strong Mark Zahra ride.

Trainer Colin Little purchased the now four-year-old as a yearling out of Highden Park’s 2018 Book 1 draft at Karaka for $180,000 and the Group Two placed galloper won for the third time in his career on Saturday.

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