Following a barrier mishap that saw Red Aces ($3.10) scratched before the Caulfield Classic last weekend, the Nick Ryan-trained colt only had to wait seven more days before returning to the racetrack and the winners circle in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase.
The son of Dundeel had been running credible races throughout the early stages of the spring, and thanks to a smart ride by Jamie Mott, he has broken through for his second career win.
Purler Patch ($26) and Opening Address ($7.50) led the field along, ahead of Vianarra ($7) and the eventual winner, before the runs started to come at the 400m mark.
King Of Thunder ($4.20) took off three-wide and flushed out Red Aces as he levelled up with Opening Address before the home turn, and those three settled down to fight out the finish.
With a couple of bumps and brushes making for an exciting finish, it was Red Aces and Jamie Mott who surged in the final strides to take out the win ahead of a game Opening Address and King Of Thunder, respectively.
2024 Moonee Valley Vase replay – Red Aces
Post-race, Nick Ryan was asked if he was experiencing his best week of his training career, following three winners over the last four days.
“It’s up there. It’s hard to top Perth, obviously, with Ollie and Munhamek, but to be here on Cox Plate Day and successful and active on one of the biggest days and getting a group two win with a lovely colt heading towards a Derby, it’s pretty good,” Ryan replied.
“He had a really good gallop here Tuesday. I had to do a bit more with him Thursday. He’d come through that so well.
“I actually rode him myself this morning. I had to give him a little whirl around because he’s so well.
“So that’s what I mean by saying I think today’s, or last week’s, as unfortunate as it was, it could be a blessing in disguise.
“Seven-day backup. Today’s the perfect gallop for next week.
“They had the chance to beat him then.
“He’s tough. He’s a good colt.
“His record at Flemington of winning or a second or third, and the beauty is, he just has to walk over the road.
“It’s his home deck and we love playing on our home deck.”
Jamie Mott spoke about his confidence in Red Aces winning the Vase and the Group 1 VRC Derby next week.
“We’ve always been confident in his staying ability, and look at him, he’s a magnificent animal,” Mott said.
“Last week at Caulfield, he was really up and about, and I struggled to hold him down in the barriers, and he ended up kicking out, which was unfortunate.
“Lucky enough, he didn’t hurt himself today.
“He went to the barriers like an old pony, so I knew he was in a better spot today and he needed the run because halfway he got travelling a little keen throughout which he’s never done before.
“Obviously he missed a run last week, so he was fresh and it was a good go for next week.
“I am very confident. I think it’s his year for sure.”
Red Aces has moved into favouritism at $6 with horse racing bookmakers in the VRC Derby futures market.
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