One to Watch – Kembla

Tara Madgwick - Sunday May 13
With Group I racing in two states and a plethora of minor stakes races on Saturday it was easy to overlook what was happening at the provincials, but this winner is on a big upward spiral and might lead her trainer Richard Freedman to Queensland in coming weeks.

Three year-old Starcraft filly Vontaine overcame trouble to win at Kembla on debut on April 26 over 1200 metres and when stepped up to 1600 metres for a Class Two event showed herself to be something way above average.

Vontaine as a yearlingNot many three year-old fillies go from a maiden to a Class Two against older horses and win like she did.

Vontaine led all the way and opened up to win by seven lengths and was quite literally in a different class.

A modest $13,000 Inglis Classic purchase from the Ambergate Farm draft (as agent for Middlebrook Station thoroughbreds) for Noel Mayfield-Smith, Vontaine is a half-sister to a pretty handy winner in My Psychiatrist and is the second winner from Severo.

 

"Severo is one of our client's mares who has resided with us since going to stud," said Jilly Henderson of Middlebrook Station Thoroughbreds. 


"Vontaine was raised from a foal along side She Will Reign (paddock mates) and both having won their maidens at Kembla Grange. Let’s hope she continues to greater heights like her paddock mate!"


A minor winner by Danzero, Severo is from stakes-placed Zabeel mare Vereza, a winner up to 2100m, and comes from the family of Champion 2YO and Golden Slipper winner Burst.

It’s a good old family and when you see sires like Starcraft, Danzero and Zabeel you are entitled to think Vontaine will get over some ground that will give her the option in the future of looking at some very nice races.



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