Trainers Ben and Ryan Foote collected an early winning double at Tauranga on Saturday with a pair of gallopers that look destined for bigger things.
While he may have only had two rivals in the opening event on the card, two-year-old colt Vega For Luck put on a confident front-running display to take the victory on debut, backing up an impressive win at the Te Rapa trials last month.
Ben Foote had noted before the race that he had opted to start his charge primarily to capitalise on an opportunity to put enough prizemoney in the bin to secure a start in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie in February.
It was quickly mission accomplished as rider Vinnie Colgan dictated proceedings from the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared Dare To Proisir throughout in the 950m contest before easing clear at the 150m to capture the $14,375 winning stake.
“He is a true little professional and his trials had been good,” Foote said.
“I did expect him to show a bit today and the reason we were lining him up today was to try and win which would put us a long way ahead in terms of getting him to the Karaka Million.
“I think he is going to improve a bit with some racing and maybe a set of blinkers on what he showed.
“He will learn from this and now we have the money in the bank we can relax a little bit and do the right thing by the horse.”
Two races later the stable made it two wins for the day with impressive three-year-old filly Myakkabelle, who holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Barnswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton next month, winning stylishly over 1400m.
The daughter of Inglewood Stud-based stallion War Decree had finished runner-up at her last two starts but made no mistake this time as she took full advantage of a perfect run in the trail before bursting through an inside gap at the 300m to race to a clear-cut victory.
“She is a real improving filly and it was a good ride by Jasmine (Fawcett) as we had talked about maybe getting off the fence but she stuck there and Plan B worked,” Foote said.
“I think she has a good future and I have always thought she might be an Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m) filly so once she gets over ground she will grow another leg.
“We will see how she comes through this and map out a plan.
“She’s not as sharp as those top fillies over 1400m but once she goes over further she will measure up.”
The victory saw Myakkabelle shorten to $18 on the TAB Fixed Odds market for the 1000 Guineas where Alabama Lass and Captured By Love sit at the head of affairs at a quote of $3.
