Not that long ago, Craig Conron had reason to think he’d never be back at Flemington as a trainer, but on Saturday he was welcomed back into the winner’s room.
The Geelong horseman made a triumphant return when Vegas Jack continued his winning run in the $150,000 Country Racing It’s Got It All Trophy (2540m).
It was Conron’s first winner at Flemington since Distant Melody provided him with his most recent Black Type success, during the 2007 Melbourne Cup Carnival, and the 62-year-old was delighted to be back.
“It’s great to be back here and it’s great to be having a winner here,” he said.
“I get a kick anytime they win, but when it’s a Saturday at Flemington it’s a much bigger kick.”
Vegas Jack ($9.50), who was ridden by Dean Yendall, scored by 1-1/4 lengths from The Western Front ($5.50) with Bold Soul ($7) half-a-length away third.
Conron hasn’t had many opportunities to head to Flemington until the past couple of seasons, mind you, taking six years away from training after brief stints in Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
He spent his time in between helping his daughter run her mobile coffee man business.
Conron bought Vegas Jack for just $13,000 online in January last year, after the gelding had been unplaced in two runs for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.
The So You Think gelding won on debut for Conron and has won an additional five races, including his past four in a row.
The Flemington success followed benchmark 66 victory at Swan Hill during its carnival and Conron can’t hide his excitement at what might be to come for the four-year-old.
“I still think he’s six or 12 months off doing what he’s going to do, so what we’re getting now, I know it sounds silly, is a bonus,” Conron said.
Conron wasn’t the only trainer to break a lengthy Flemington drought on Saturday, with Alex Rae registering his second winner at the venue.
The young Cranbourne trainer produced Imperatriz’s half-brother I’mateez to win the $150,000 Rod Johnson 3YO Handicap (1100m).
It was Rae’s first winner at Flemington since his dream introduction on Oaks Day 2018 when Cochada won the Country Final.
“I trained my first winner here with my first runner in 2018 and it’s been eight years between drinks,” Rae said.
“Everywhere else been pretty fruitful, so this is a great result.”
I’mateez, a gelding by Capitalist who started $9, scored by 1-3/4 lengths from La Astro Chat ($16) with Prestar ($4.20) a neck away third.
