$25,000 Karaka Bargain Makes Good

Victorian trainer Colin Little's $25,000 purchase of Vassilator (NZ) (Zacinto) at the 2017 Select Sale at Karaka was richly rewarded on Wednesday when the colt won the A$120,000 Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.

Making the third start of his career, the chestnut colt was second-last in the 13-horse field at the top of the straight but charged home down the outside of the track to score by a length.

"We sent out a voicemail this morning saying we've got a lot of time for this horse," said Little, who also shares in the ownership.

"He was very unlucky at Ballarat (fifth), where I thought he raced in the slow line. I said it looked disappointing, but don't be surprised if he shows up today. He was advantaged by the 1400 metres and the big track."

Vassilator has now earned A$73,375 in prize-money – more than three times his purchase price – for his owners Little, Mr J Adams, Mr A F Brown, Mr J G Connellan, Mr I E Hopkins, Mr R M Fitzroy, Mr G C Sampieri, Mr BT Gallagher, Mr P Goodwin, Mr P A Snaddon, Mr P J Dempsey and Mr P F Vassallo.

Vassilator was bred by the Alchemy Family Trust and Windsor Park Stud Ltd. He became the fourth individual stakes winner for South Island stallionZacinto(Dansili), joiningUgo Foscolo(NZ),Odeon(NZ) andZigwig(NZ).

"Zacinto has good stats and is going really well," Little said. "There's only a handful that have raced here.Navagio(NZ) and Odeon are a couple that have won."

Vassilator's Anzac Day Stakes win sees him join a quality roll of honour, with recent winners of the race including the subsequent Group One performersMerchant Navy(Fastnet Rock) andLong John(Street Cry).