Vibrant Sun stays against the girls at Caulfield
Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr have elected to keep Vibrant Sun against her own sex as she builds towards a Group 1 assignment later in the Spring.
Vibrant Sun runs in the Catanach’s 150 Years Vase (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday as she builds her fitness levels for the Group 1 Empire Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 2.
Price and Kent Jnr had also entered Vibrant Sun for the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) on Saturday where she would have been up against Another Wil and Antino.
“We’re building her towards the Empire Stakes third-up and it’ s a race which she can run really well in,” Kent Jnr said.
Vibrant Sun has been a good spinner for the Price and Kent Jnr yard.
A veteran of only eight starts, Vibrant Sun is a three-time winner with the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville in April her main scalp.
Vibrant Sun burst onto the scene on the final day of the 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival winning a Geelong maiden by eight lengths, before backing up a week later in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield.
The autumn was the time for Vibrant Sun to shine, and besides her victory in the Australasian Oaks she was also successful in the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
Vibrant Sun resumed her current campaign on a wet track at Flemington, finishing tenth in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) last month.
Price and Kent Jnr had contemplated starting Vibrant Sun in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) on September 27 but reasoned more time between that first-up run and her second appearance would be more beneficial.
“It came up very, very quickly, 13 days after what was a run on a heavy, heavy track,” Kent Jnr said.
“She won her Group One in the autumn with a little bit of time between runs, so we thought we’d give her a bit of extra time leading into this run.
“That first-up run and then this run on Saturday should build her nicely hopefully to be third-up into the Empire Rose.”
More Racing News
Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup
Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...
Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend
Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...
Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip
Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...
Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...
Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa
Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...
Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes
Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...
SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup
Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...
Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win
Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...
Air has second Assault on the 2025 Ballarat Cup
A mature and more composed Air Assault will attempt to push his prizemoney beyond $1 million when he lines up in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup. Trainer Andrew Gluyas says the gelding has finally pieced it all together after years of racing keenly, noting the now nine-time winner has developed into a tractable,...
Weather prompts Rosehill races transfer
Saturday’s Rosehill race meeting will now be held on Sunday after Racing NSW moved to avoid anticipated extreme heat across Sydney, with temperatures set to surge past 40 degrees. Racing NSW stewards had tracked forecasts closely all week and, with no relief in sight, chief steward Tom Moxon confirmed the rescheduling...