Vain Queen even surprised trainer John Sadler with the ease of her win in Saturday’s heat of the All Victorian Sprint Series at Flemington.
Vain Queen returned to her best form with a win against her own sex at Moonee Valley at her previous outing and handled the step to open class racing, posting a 3-3/4-length win on Saturday.
Vain Queen winning the All Victorian Sprint Series Heat at Flemington ridden by Katelyn Mallyon and trained by John Sadler – (photo by Steven Dowden/Race Horse Photos Australia)
“She surprised me how well she won today. She just went to another level,” Sadler said.
Apprentice Katelyn Mallyon rode Vain Queen confidently, positioning the mare on the speed before the four-year-old dashed well clear of her opposition at the 300m.
Vain Queen carried just 52.5kg after Mallyon’s claim and the light weight helped her hold off The Thief easily in the closing stages before scoring her third win from as many tries down the straight.
Sadler said Vain Queen would progress to the All Victorian Sprint Series Final at Flemington in a fortnight in search of valuable black type in the Listed event.
“She’s won six out of eight now and five of them in town so it would be lovely to get some black type for her owners for when she finishes up (racing),” Sadler said.
Meanwhile Akavoroun booked his place in the Listed Winter Championship Final when he staved off the well-backed Kiwi Ringo to claim the sixth heat of the series.
Akavoroun suffered his first defeat at Moonee Valley last time out but Michelle Payne got the best out of the Ciaron Maher-trained gelding late to deny those that had backed Ringo from $8.50 into $5.50 on track.
“He’s bounced back today,” Maher said.
“His work was good during the week and he’s a very exciting horse.”
