Vinrock Back to Best Winning Listed Exford Plate

Tara Madgwick - Saturday September 13

Purchased by Yulong following his unbeaten juvenile season highlighted by a memorable victory in the Group I ATC Sires Produce Stakes at Randwick, exciting I Am Invincible colt Vinrock hit top form at Flemington on Saturday.

Vinrock wins the Listed Exford Plate - image Grant Courtney

Trained by Matt Laurie, Vinrock was beaten first up over 1200m last month, but stepped back out to 1400m for the Listed VRC Exford Plate, the powerhouse bay quickly found his mojo.

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He looked head and shoulders above his rivals in the mounting yard and it proved that way out on the track as he surged clear for Mark Zahra to win by nearly two lengths over a pair of Wootton Bassett contenders in West of Swindon and Wise Inlaw.

Mark Zahra has ridden Vinrock in every start to date and has a great association with the colt.

“I think he handles all conditions, he just needed the run (last start) and 1200 (metres) isn't his go,” said Zahra.

“He's a big fat colt, he might've needed it, we always said he would and he's proven us right, second up, on the big track, he's gone very good today."

Vinrock runs for Yulong and his original syndicate of owners - image Grant Courtney

Matt Laurie was thrilled with the performance and can now plot a path to the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas in October.

"I think he's a pretty tough horse; you put it to him and he tries pretty hard, so I think when the going gets tough he'll give his best,” Laurie said.

“He's a quality colt, he's by the right stallion (I Am Invincible). I'm really pleased for Yulong, they've purchased him, he's going to be standing there one day, and it's nice to add to his CV again.

"I was hoping we'd be going to a Golden Rose (G1) third up. I still think we should be looking that path, but we'll have a good chat tomorrow."

Vinrock is a new Yulong stallion in the making - image Grant Courtney

Vinrock was a $300,000 Inglis Premier purchase from Rosemont Stud for Matt Laurie Racing / Wilannah Park Bloodstock and has four wins from five starts with over $1million in prizemoney.

Bred by Rosemont Stud, he is the best of three winners from Group II VRC Matriarch Stakes (2000m) winner Girl Gone Rockin’, a half-sister by Redoute’s Choice to Group III winner Syreon from Group II winner Sorrento.

Girl Gone Rockin’ has a two year-old filly by Pierro and after missing in 2023 was covered by Churchill (IRE) last spring.

Vinrock is one of only two Group I winning juvenile colts by Yarraman Park’s champion sire I Am Invincible and has obviously come back in the manner to suggest he can well build on that G1 record as this season unfolds.

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Race Result - Rubaroc Exford Plate LR 1400m

Flemington Track: Good(4) Time: 1:22.98
1
Vinrock
- 3c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Girl Gone Rockin' (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: M M Laurie Rdr: M Zahra 59.5
I Am Invincible
Inglis Premier Yearling Sale $300,000
Seller: Rosemont Stud, Gnarwarre
Buyer: Matt Laurie Racing / Wilannah Park Bloodstock
2
1.8
West Of Swindon
- 3c Wootton Bassett (GB) x Fife (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: B Melham 57
Wootton Bassett
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $350,000
Seller: Widden Stud, Widden Valley, NSW (As Agent)
Buyer: Hawkes Racing
3
2
Wise Inlaw
- 3g Wootton Bassett (GB) x Sylvia's Mother (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: P G Moody & Katherine Coleman Rdr: B Shinn 57
Wootton Bassett
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $300,000
Seller: Berkeley Park Stud, Blandford, NSW (As Agent)
Buyer: Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA)
4
2.3
Hillier
- 3c Zoustar (AUS) x Pretty In Pink (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel & Rob Archibald Rdr: M J Dee 57
5
3.1
Prestige Ole
- 3c Ole Kirk (AUS) x Major Wager (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: M M Laurie Rdr: J Mott 57.5
6
3.1
Highvol
- 3g Microphone (AUS) x Aspenet (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: Nick Ryan Rdr: Declan Bates 58
7
3.2
Just Kick
- 3f Staphanos (JPN) x Rekindled Outlook (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: E & D Browne Rdr: Damian Lane 55
8
3.6
Fastoso
- 3g Shamus Award (AUS) x Kentucky Tornado (USA) (Mizzen Mast (USA))
Tnr: G Eurell Rdr: Craig Williams 57
9
4
Crossbow
- 3g Better Than Ready (AUS) x Dreamarcher (USA) (Archarcharch (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57.5
10
4.8
Arcora
- 3c Justify (USA) x Casuarina Forest (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: John Allen 57.5
11
5.5
Sabi Storm
- 3g Lord Kanaloa (JPN) x Wabi Sabi (JPN) (Symboli Kris S (USA))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: Jamie Melham 57
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