Vow and Declare returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since the 2019 Melbourne Cup, proving the superior stayer in the $750,000 Group II Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Ridden by John Allen for Danny O’Brien, Vow And Declare tracked into the race three deep. There to be beaten at the 200m, the son of Declaration Of War (USA) kept up a relentless gallop to turn back the challenge of the favourite Luncies (GB) (Iffraaj) by a length and a half with Persan (Pierro) a head back in third, with Dark Dream (All American) in fourth.
Three of the first four Australian breds in a 2400m feature is almost unheard of nowadays.
Passed in when failing to make his $60,000 reserve when offered by Kitchwin Hills at the 2017 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Vow And Declare was retained to race in a partnership by his breeder Paul Langsky. The 7yo gelding advances his record to five wins, three seconds, and four thirds from 29 starts with earnings of $6,645,880.
O’Brien praised the aggressive ride by John Allen.
“He couldn’t have ridden it any better,” O’Brien said.
“Persan set a good gallop, which is what we wanted, and he was always in control of the position he wanted to be in. Early in the straight, he got going and stayed on, and it was pretty painless.
“He’s had the better part of 18 months off leading up to this spring. He’s never been in better shape, hence the reason he’s here on Zipping Classic day. He’s taken all his racing this spring really really well, he’s performed as well today as he did earlier in the spring. We’d like to think he’s got a good season ahead of him next year as well.”
A half-brother to Listed Melbourne Galilee Series Final winner Lycurgus (Star Witness), Vow And Declare is out of the Testa Rossa mare Geblitz, a winner in Sydney and Brisbane, who comes from the family of Group I winners Hauraki and Kidnapped.
Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock shelled out $230,000 for Geblitz’s American Pharoah (USA) filly from the Widden Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Geblitz has a yearling filly by Dundeel and a filly foal by Too Darn Hot (GB).
Former Coolmore shuttler Declaration Of War (USA) now stands in Japan.
