Grinzinger Belle ($5) has taken out the Group 3 Ladies Day Vase at Caulfield following a perfectly timed front-running ride from Damian Lane aboard the Danny O’Brien-trained mare.
The daughter of Shamexpress looked to be the only leader on the speed map, and after jumping well from barrier 11, Lane crossed the field to take up the lead at a solid clip.
Settling in behind the leader was Vibrant Sun ($15), ahead of See You In Heaven ($5.50) and Fire Of Etna ($15), who were at least three lengths off the leader as they ran around the final corner.
Lane lifted the tempo from the 400m mark on Grinzinger Belle, and she left the speed runners in her wake as she kicked clear by the 200m mark to wrap up the win.
See You In Heaven boxed on steadily for third place, but it was Private Legacy ($34) who caught the eye when flashing home from the back of the field to finish second, beaten by half a length on the line.
2024 Ladies Day Vase replay – Grinzinger Belle
Danny O’Brien was pleased with the victory, and he spoke post-race.
“She’s been beaten a head in two mile races previously and just gobbled up late. I think that’s as far as she wants, obviously, but she got the right conditions, she did a really good job there,” O’Brien said.
“She can’t lead and stack up because they’ll out-sprint her, and that’s what happened at Moonee Valley.
“So we were pretty keen to be aggressive today. She needs to take the power out of the ones chasing her well before they turn it home. And Damian did that today.
“It’s a fine balance, leaving enough to get to the line as well, but she has been ridden really well by Damian throughout her career and once again today.
“She certainly didn’t get it as easy as you’d like the first two or three hundred metres, but she’s a great mare that’s in great form and she’s carried the big penalty there today.
“We’ll get her to the mile race in three weeks’ time now, and they’ll meet on set weights.”
Damian Lane mentioned that he didn’t get the ride right at Moonee Valley last start in his post-race, and he was quick to credit O’Brien.
“Yeah, Danny and I had a robust discussion after Moonee Valley that I probably didn’t go quick enough on her and there was a couple of circumstances surrounding that,” Lane said.
“I think she showed today that she’s a high-cruising speed horse and, yeah, I wasn’t sure at the mile either, but two ticks to Danny.
“Credit where credit’s due. He got both right.
“No, she was out in her feet late, but I’d done a bit of work through that middle stage so she was entitled to be.
“I think she just sees out the mile, so I wouldn’t expect she’d go any further than that.
“Maybe the Empire Rose next start. I’m not sure if she goes somewhere in between, probably not. I’m not sure, but that might be a good option for her now.”
Grinzinger Belle is a $15 chance with horse racing bookmakers in Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes futures markets.
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