Blueblood O'Reilly Gelding Wins Matamata Cup

Media Release - Saturday October 9

Topweight Vernanme proved too tough for his rivals when he produced a gritty effort to take out Saturday’s Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m).

Vernanme stretches out nicely as he takes out the Listed team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m) Photo Credit: Race Images – Kenton Wright

The Stephen Marsh-trained six-year-old came into the race off a confidence boosting fresh-up run for third at Hastings last month, after trialling nicely before launching his spring campaign.

Asked to carry the 60kg topweight for the feature event at Matamata, rider Craig Grylls gave the son of O’Reilly an economic run in the trail behind pacemaker Crystallize throughout before angling one-off the fence in the home straight to make his challenge.

Vernanme hit the front at the 250m and slowly edged away from a game Crystallize to win nicely by just over a length with the well-supported Frontman a margin back in third.

Marsh, who was at home in his Cambridge lounge due to the COVID19 border restrictions preventing him attending the Matamata track, was delighted to see Vernanme back to winning form.

“That was just awesome as he had 60kgs on his back and won it like the good horse he is,” Marsh said.

“He has been quite an immature type all the way along, but I think he has finally started to put it all together now.

“It was a lovely ride by Craig as he never spent a penny on the inside and only asked him to make one run in the straight.

“Actually, at the 500m I was pretty worried as Frontman looked like he was travelling easily and had a 5kg pull in the weights on us, but my guy got his momentum up and did it very well in the closing stages.”

Advertisement

Marsh will now give Vernanme a few easy days before deciding on his next target, which is likely to be the Gr.2 Gartshore Tauranga Stakes (1600m) on November 13.

“He goes his best races on the fresh side and doesn’t really take big campaigns, so we will just poke around with him and freshen him up now,” he said.

“That Group Two mile at Tauranga looks ideal for him, although we might consider the Listed mile (Karaka Classic) at Pukekohe at the end of the month if he is getting too frisky out in his paddock.”

Marsh was keen to make it a black-type double in the space of thirty minutes when he lined up Loose Cannon in the Gr.3 Wyndspelle @ Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera, however a testing heavy10 surface put paid to her chances after she looked a hope on the point of the home bend.

“Loose Cannon deserves to get some black type, but she just never handled that track down there as she was ducking and diving all over the place when the rider let her head go,” he said.

“She will keep as she is going better than ever, so we just need to find another stakes race for her.”

Vernanme is out of the five-race winner Bohemian Blues and is a full brother to multiple Group One winner Shamrocker and a half-brother of Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Rock Diva.

He has now won five of his 24 starts and over $209,000 in prizemoney. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Matamata Cup LR 1600m

Matamata Track: Heavy(10) Time: 1:38.70
1
Vernanme
- 6g O'Reilly (NZ) x Bohemian Blues (NZ) (Blues Traveller (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: C J Grylls 60
2
1.3
Crystallize
- 6g Iffraaj (GB) x Crystalina (IRE) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: D A Walker Rdr: S T Collett 58.5
3
2.8
Frontman
- 4h Makfi (GB) x Imposingly (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: K Asano 55
4
5.1
Spring Delight
- 6m Tavistock (NZ) x Ana Zeel (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: S R Weatherley 53
5
5.9
Mont Ventoux
- 6g Nom Du Jeu (NZ) x Good Reason (NZ) (Lord Ballina (AUS))
Tnr: R P Liefting Rdr: L H Satherley 53
6
7.7
Hezthewonforus
- 7g Sufficient (NZ) x Party Queen (NZ) (Gold Brose (AUS))
Tnr: Ms J K Mahoney Rdr: A C Goindasamy 53
7
8.2
Le Sablier
- 7m Tavistock (NZ) x Phillipa Glass (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: Ms K Fursdon Rdr: D S Johnson 53
8
9.7
Lilly Thunder
- 7m Dalghar (FR) x Sharp Tip (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Ms P Riley Rdr: B E Grylls 53
9
14.7
Major Tom
- 8g Red Giant (USA) x Letsgoparty (NZ) (Oregon (USA))
Tnr: P & J Brosnan Rdr: T L Newman 54.5
More Reading...
Aussie Connection with Impressive St Mark’s Basilica Debut Winner
2021 European Horse of the Year St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) is at Coolmore Australia this spring and had an impressive debut winner at Ascot overnight with El Vamos powering clear of her rivals to win as she pleased.
Justify Mare Wins $250,000 Wyong Mona Lisa Stakes
A big field of 14 mares went around in the $250,000 Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong on Friday and the race produced a thrilling finish with less than two lengths separating  the first eight over the line with Just Feelin’ Lucky taking the prize.
Sires With Winners - Thursday September 4
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Ole Kirk share headlines strong September (Early) Online Sale
A share in - and mares in foal to - reigning Champion First Season Sire Ole Kirk are joined by a bevy of quality racing and breeding stock in the Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.
Expensive Super Seth 3YO Bolts in by Five!
Smart three-year-old Street Artist notched his first victory in impressive style when leading throughout to defeat a strong maiden field over 1000m at Mornington on Friday by nearly five lengths.
$1.65million Invincible Colt Hostility Resuming on Saturday
Te Akau Racing will hold a strong hand on Proisir Plate Day at Ellerslie on Saturday, particularly in the age group features.
Will Macdonald Joins Astute Bloodstock
Astute Bloodstock is delighted to announce the expansion of our team as we continue to meet increasing client demand and pursue our Group 1 ambitions.
Birdsville Kicks Off with Record Fields on Friday
The 143rd Birdsville Races roared to life today with a burst of trackside colour and red desert dust, as a record crowd of punters converged on the edge of Queensland’s Simpson Desert for the iconic two-day meet.
One to Watch – Wyong
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable have been running hot into spring and unleashed a talented Wootton Bassett (GB) colt at Wyong on Friday that bolted in to win by nearly five lengths.
Grail Seeker Chasing Another G1
Top quality performer Grail Seeker will be heading in a new direction on Saturday when she attempts to add to her record at the highest level.