Guineas Goal for Vassilator

Media Release - Tuesday August 28

Juvenile stakes winner Vassilator will kick-off his three-year-old season at Caulfield on Saturday when he tackles the Group III McNeil Stakes (1200m).

ZacintoThe Zacinto colt won two of his four starts as a two-year-old last season, including the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.

Trainer Colin Little is aiming Vassilator at the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in October and believes his charge is on target despite a recent set-back.

"He's had a little bit of a set-back, he had a poor blood count a few of weeks ago," Little said.

"We did intend on starting him two to three weeks ago, but we had to ease up just a little bit, but he's really good now and we were fortunate that we had two to three weeks up our sleeve.

"There's no real repercussion on that, he's still on track. The short term goal, if he is good enough, is the Caulfield Guineas. I am very happy with him since his trial last Tuesday (which he won over 800m)."

Advertisement

Little thinks the 1200m distance of Saturday's race may be a bit short for his $25,000 New Zealand Bloodstock yearling sale purchase, but he is happy with the development of the three-year-old who he believes is suited over more ground.

"We are really training him to go a mile, so you think he might not be in the race over the 1200m, but I'm sure he will finish off okay," Little said.

"I think he's taken another step (since his two-year-old season). He's a pretty laidback customer, he doesn't take it too seriously, so I do think he'll get a fair bit of ground. 1600m is no problem and maybe even further.

"We will be stretching him out and I think he has strengthened up and improved. He's a more rounded racehorse this preparation.

"He's the best horse I have had for a while." – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Inglis Digital - Darby Swoop on Amazing Eagle for $310,000
Scott Darby believes today’s Inglis Digital sale-topper Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) can continue along the same successful mould as the likes of former online Darby acquisitions Robusto, Caballus and Imperial Force and progress on to become a future racetrack star.
More Stakes Success for Zacinto Filly
Consistent filly Secret Allure made a successful return to Riccarton on Saturday when she stormed home to capture the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m).
Henry Longfellow Pedigree Gets an Update
Group I winning Dubawi stallion Henry Longfellow (IRE) is covering his first Australian book of mares at Rosemont Stud this spring and overnight in Ireland his two year-old sister-in-blood landed her first Group race win.
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
Valachi Downs Announces Major Expansion Plans
Valachi Downs are significantly increasing their holdings in the thoroughbred industry.
Zacinto's Odeon Strikes in the Lord Stakes
Punters can be a forgiving lot and for those long-suffering supporters that parlayed their faith in Luvaluva at Randwick into Odeon in the Listed Ladbrokes Lord Stakes (1700m) Caulfield it was a day to savour.
NZB Ready to Run Breeze Ups Complete for 2025
The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Zacinto Filly Wins G3 Desert Gold
The Lisa Latta-trained Secret Allure secured her biggest career success when she stormed to victory in Saturday's Group III Williment Travel Group Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Hawkesbury
A lone 2YO went around in an 800m trial for two and three year-olds at Hawkesbury on Tuesday and the Snitzel colt won in good style carrying the Mulberry Racing colours.