Killiana missed out on a big VOBIS Gold payday when unplaced in $1 million The Showdown, but the speedy Lindsay Park filly gained a consolation win through that scheme at Bendigo on Saturday.
The daughter of Brazen Beau overcame a wide run to take out the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush, which carries an additional $30,000 in VOBIS bonuses.
The 1100-metre event was only Killiana’s third start, having started her career with a dashing win at Bendigo, and co-trainer J D Hayes was thrilled to see the $160,000 Inglis Premier yearling score a feature win.
“She’s very, very fast and these VOBIS races that are put on, it’s just so good to have them with such good prizemoney attached, it makes it very easy to target them,” he said.
“A filly like her, we’ll sit back and see what the plans is next, but she’s done a good job this time in.
“I’m really proud of this filly, to be able to pick herself up after her Showdown run, month between runs with a tick-over jumpout, it’s just a credit to all out team and the facilities we have.”
It was the second-straight win in the VOBIS Gold Rush for Hayes, who trains in partnership with brothers Ben and Will and won with Bold Bastille last year.
Lile Bold Bastille, Killiana is blessed with plenty of early speed but jockey Michael Dee was content to take hold and sit wide after she was not able to cross early.
Those on the $2.30 betting site favourite had some anxious moments midway down the straight when she did not appear to be travelling well, only to see her lift late and score by a long-neck from the fast-finishing Salty Pearl ($17). Another $17 chance, Wintery, was 1-1/4 lengths away third.
“She has a lot of speed and unfortunately she wasn’t able to cross over, so she did it the hard way and sat three-wide, but gave a good kick. It was a good effort,” Dee said.
