It’s not a surprise that trainer Colin Little has aimed Vassilator (NZ) (Zacinto) at a Flemington 1400m race, the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes, as he is the epitome of a track and distance specialist.
Vassilator has the unique distinction of his four career wins all being over 1400m at Flemington, which is again the track and distance of his next assignment on Saturday.
The son of Zacinto won at the track over 1400m at his last start and Little said Vassilator was a big scopey horse who was suited by the wide expanses of Flemington.
“It’s one of those things,” Little said. “He’s suited by the long run in and often there’s more pace on in races. He loves the space he can find there.”
Little said the key to Vassilator as he has aged is that he was a little easier on him in training.
“He likes that. He’s a very sound horse and he should have good longevity,” he said.
Damien Oliver who rode Vassilator to win at his last start will stay on the five-year-old gelding carrying 58.5kg, 1.5kg less than at his last start win.
Little purchased Vassilator out of Windsor Park Stud’s 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale draft for $25,000.
