Jimmy Recard digs in to win the Vain Stakes 2025
Jimmy Recard showed grit and class at Caulfield on Saturday, fending off a strong challenge to claim the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) and extend his winning streak to three.
Sent out the $3.60 favourite, the colt was tested when Tycoon Star ($5) loomed up alongside in the straight, but under the drive of jockey Jamie Melham, he lifted late to prevail by a long head. Express Class ($13) was another 1-½ lengths away in third. The win follows his Gosford maiden success in June and his victory in the Taj Rossi Sprint Final at Flemington last month.
Melham said the colt had turned a corner mentally. “I knew he had ability, but I wasn’t convinced he’d put it all together yet. When he was bumped at the 200, I honestly thought he might give up, but instead he fought hard. He’s grown, he’s matured, and the penny has dropped with him now. I think he has some very big wins ahead,” Melham said.
Trainer Ciaron Maher said the stable had carefully placed the colt and were delighted with the result. “He’s improving every run,” Maher said. “We looked at Adelaide as an option but decided this race was a better fit, and he’s shown us he’s on track for a strong spring. He’s a beautifully bred colt, great physique, and has a bright future.”
Looking forward, Maher said connections would weigh up a path to either the mile of the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) or the sprinting route towards the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) in November. “We’ll let him show us which way to go, but either way, he looks every inch a Group 1 horse,” Maher said.
More Racing News
Freedman's classy pair set sights on Sydney features
Mitch Freedman is yet to confirm Attrition's resumption at Rosehill this weekend, but a Sydney campaign later in the year is firmly on the agenda for the impressive galloper.The Ballarat trainer has once again earmarked the Hill Stakes, to be run on October 10, as the primary spring target for...
Another Wil readies for Victorian campaign start
Having transferred to Victoria, Another Wil is poised to commence his latest campaign in the PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield.The seven-year-old arrived at Ciaron Maher's Ballarat stable last Saturday morning from Sydney. His participation on Saturday hinges on a Tuesday workout.Accompanying Another Wil on the trip from Sydney were Light...
Country racing clubs at risk from proposed gambling legislation
The financial stability of Australia's country race clubs, the very essence of thoroughbred racing, is under threat if gambling reforms extend beyond the current legislative proposals.During a recent Senate inquiry in Canberra, Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison and acting Racing NSW chief executive Graeme Hinton passionately articulated the potential...
Oliveanotherday's spring preparation begins with Casterton jump-out
Tom Dabernig is preparing to increase the workload for the promising gelding Oliveanotherday, with a planned jump-out at Casterton.This outing at Casterton on Monday will be Oliveanotherday's first public appearance since his triumph in the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) during Warrnambool's three-day carnival in May.Oliveanotherday boasts an impressive record of...
Revengeance's Next Start: The Rosebud Or A Trial?
Trainer Adrian Bott is weighing up options for the immediate future of his promising colt Revengeance, a winner of the Golden Gift. A decision on whether he contests The Rosebud or has another trial will be made after Tuesday's trackwork.The two-year-old is set to be entered for Saturday's Listed event...
Craig Williams claims sixth Scobie Breasley Medal honour
Esteemed jockey Craig Williams has secured his sixth Scobie Breasley Medal, a prestigious award for riding excellence in Victoria.This latest win for Williams comes exactly two decades after he first claimed the award in 2006. He went on to replicate this success in 2007, 2008, and 2009. The jockey's most...
Patience rewarded as $3 million filly Ernaux breaks through at Randwick
Two years ago, American businessman John Stewart was involved in a significant bidding war for a daughter of Winx, ultimately losing out. However, he was successful in acquiring another elite prospect from that year's Inglis Easter Sale. While he finished as the underbidder on the $10 million Winx filly to...
Ninja's Missile Stakes win propels him into Everest calculations
Ninja proved too strong for a small but select group of competitors in Sydney's opening stakes race of the season, the Group 2 $300,000 Missile Stakes over 1200 metres.The Michael Freedman-trained sprinter set a race record of 1 minute 08.28 seconds, a time that would have been competitive in most...
In-form mare Flyer set for stud after Caulfield success
Trainer Jason Warren is hopeful of identifying another suitable Stakes race for the mare Flyer before she transitions to a life of stud duties.Flyer achieved a significant, long-priced victory in the MSC Signs Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield Heath last Saturday. Warren shared that the mare is already booked to be...
Shannen Llewllyn off to a flying start with Ciaron Maher-trained Eliyass
In a promising sign of things to come, eight-year-old gelding Eliyass has recaptured his winning ways with a determined all-the-way victory at Randwick. This performance serves as a timely precursor for apprentice jockey Shannen Llewllyn, who is set to transfer her indentures to trainer Ciaron Maher.Llewllyn, currently based in Newcastle,...