Running Tall wins the 2011 VRC Sires Produce Stakes
Twelve months ago O’Brien won the VRC Sires Produce Stakes with Shamrocker, who claimed an upset in the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington last Saturday March 5.
Today O’Brien went one better in a brilliant training effort scored the 2011 VRC Sires Produce Stakes Quinella with Running Tall and Decirles finishing one-two.
Early drama before the VRC Sires Produce Stakes jump with red-hot favourite, the Peter Snowden-trained Helmet, a late scratching.
Helmet played up in the barriers and was vetted, removed from gate one and quickly scratched following veterinary advice.
With the favourite out is was anyone’s race.
Triple-figure roughie of the field Isopach came out firing taking the early lead.
Delago’s Lad had a tough run deep on the speed racing three wide.
Eventual winner Running Tall was given a beautiful ride settling into second with Cash For Matt also settling well in third.
On the home straight Isopach held a shortening lead, but Running Tall soon threw down the challenge and shot to the lead with 250m to go.
Proving to be a lot fitter than last-start when seventh to Sepoy in the Blue Diamond Stakes, Stratum colt Running Tall continued to pull away to score a dominant win.
On the line Running Tall ($11) finished two lengths ahead of stablmate Decircles.
In a photo-finish for third Grand Britannia finished off the Trifecta after coming from well back, just ahead of fourth-placegetter Masthead who was second-favourite in the market behind the withdrawn Helmet.
Today was Running Tall’s maiden win from four career starts.
Next up on the Flemington programme Whobegotyou is odds-on favourite to win the $250,000 Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m).
Luxbet have the best price on Whobegotyou so visit them now and back him for the win!
2011 VRC Sires Produce Stakes Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | RUNNING TALL(4) | Ben Melham | Danny O’Brien | 55.5 | 1-24.24 |
| 2nd | 10 | DECIRCLES(3) | Dwayne Dunn | Danny O’Brien | 55.5 | 2.0L |
| 3rd | 4 | GRAND BRITANNIA(9) | Damien Oliver | Robbie Laing | 55.5 | 3.0L |
| 4th | 1 | MASTHEAD(7) | Craig Williams | Lee Freedman | 55.5 | 3.1L |
| 5th | 7 | CASH FOR MATT(2) | Danny Nikolic | Rick Hore-Lacy | 55.5 | 4.1L |
| 6th | 9 | MINUTE BY MINUTE(5) | Steven Arnold | David Hayes | 55.5 | 4.2L |
| 7th | 11 | ISOPACH(6) | Craig Newitt | John P Thompson | 55.5 | 4.4L |
| 8th | 2 | DELAGO’S LAD(8) | Chris Symons | John McArdle | 55.5 | 4.5L |
| Src | 3 | HELMET | Mark Zahra | Peter Snowden | ||
| Src | 5 | ROCKSHAFT | Jason Maskiell | Robert Smerdon | ||
| Src | 8 | COVERED IN CLASS | Luke Nolen | Peter G Moody |
Photo courtesy (c) Taron Clarke Photography
