Matt Laurie has collected his second Group 1 win in the space of four days with Vinrock’s ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes victory and the trainer’s hot streak might not be over yet.
Vinrock remains undefeated from three starts after becoming the first horse since Full On Aces in 1981 to capture the VRC-ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes double.
Laurie also puts the polish on star filly Treasurethe Moment, who won the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) on Tuesday and is a dominant favourite for the Australian Oaks (2400m) on day two of The Championships.’
It was the fifth major of Laurie’s career and came 12 years after Escado provided his first in the 2013 South Australian Derby.
Laurie admitted he was pinching himself to rack up two Group 1s in the same week.
“It’s a dream come true,” Laurie said.
“We don’t buy huge amounts of yearlings and we do OK in our selection. I am just very proud of the horse and very proud of the team.
“Having a horse like Treasurethe Moment is incredible but to pick out a colt at the sales and be here winning a Group One three starts later, it’s mind blowing.”
Vinrock, a son of I Am Invincible, was passed in at Inglis’ Melbourne Premier Sale and Laurie later secured him for $300,000.
Saturday’s win has taken his earnings to over $800,000 but his value as a future stallion is much more significant.
“I found him at the Premier Sale. He was a lovely looking horse. I valued him a lot higher and he passed in and I managed to go down and buy him post-sale,” Laurie recalled.
“I’ve got quite a bit of family in him too so it is very special.”
Laurie revealed he identified the Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) as the right race for Vinrock before the horse had even raced.
“Straight after I rode him for the first time after him being broken in,” he said.
He also confirmed Vinrock would progress to the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick in two weeks provided he pulled up well.
Well supported to start a $3.40 favourite, Vinrock scored by a half-neck over State Visit ($18) with Buffalo ($18) another half-head away in a driving finish.
Less than a length separated the first five horses across the line with Golden Slipper runner-up Wodeton finishing fourth after racing wide throughout, and Rivellino fifth after being in restricted room for much of the straight.
