Vancouver has reassumed his position at the head of Golden Slipper markets with his trainer Gai Waterhouse making a double statement about her chances in the $3.5 million race.
Forty minutes after English won her way into the field in Saturday’s Reisling Stakes, Vancouver kept his unbeaten record intact in the Todman Stakes (1200m) in which Headwater lost his air of invincibility.
Vancouver, Tommy Berry
The $1.75 Todman favourite, Headwater laboured in the straight to finish third, 5-1/2 lengths from the winner.
Vancouver ($4.60) caused a couple of tense moments when he burst through the gates and ran 100 metres but jockey Tommy Berry said the colt showed his maturity by pulling himself up.
The second time he jumped from the gates, Vancouver took up a position behind Furnaces ($4.40) and gathered him up over the final 200 metres to beat him by 3-1/4 lengths.
“Everything about him was better today,” Berry said.
“Even trotting to the barriers he was a lot more relaxed. Something hit the back of the gate and he reacted.
“But he pulled himself up and is just a much more improved horse.
“The last furlong was exciting.”
Blake Shinn said Headwater was beaten a long way from home.
“Rounding the turn he was struggling a touch and when I put him under pressure he failed to respond,” Shinn said.
“In comparison to his last start it wasn’t the same Headwater today.”
Vancouver is now the TAB’s $2.80 top pick with Exosphere at $6 and deposed favourite Headwater out to $8.
English is an $11 chance while Saturday’s Flemington winner Ready For Victory is in to $15.
