A perfect front running ride from Mark Zahra has seen Vibrant Sun (+550) lead every step of the way to take out the Group 1 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville for trainers Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr.
The daughter of The Autumn Sun was coming off an impressive victory in the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes, where she came from off the speed to run over the top of the leader late, which led many to believe that she would get 2000m at her first attempt.
Zahra took his filly to the front to lead from Pulchritudinous (+600), and they put a good space between themselves and the rest of the field, which was led by Coco Sun (+700) as they hit the home straight.
However, as Tim Clark shook up his mount on the outside of the leader, Zahra was saving the winner for one final sprint, and she let down strong to eventually pull away with 200m to go.
Private Legacy (+1600) and Coco Sun flew home and put in a lunge on the winning post but just missed as Zahra got absolutely everything out of Vibrant Sun, recording a win by the barest of margins.
2024 Australasian Oaks Replay – Vibrant Sun
Michael Kent Jnr represented the stable post-race and he was elated with the win.
“We always liked her. She won her maiden by seven lengths and went to the Thousand Guineas,” Kent Jnr said.
“Third-up, 2000 metres, straight to the front, it was a huge win.
“She missed a run in the Auraria when she had a little setback, so it’s a massive job by the whole team at home.
“She was there to be beaten. It was a huge effort. Awesome result for everybody.”
“We’ll take stock and talk to everybody. She doesn’t have to go anywhere now, she’s a Group 1 winner. We’ll work that out on Monday morning.”
Mark Zahra was very complimentary of the winner in his post-race interview.
“Really gutsy. I couldn’t have her much slower in the run,” Zahra said of the winner.
“I took my time getting there, but that’s as steady as I could go, but she’s got a high cruising speed.
“I dropped my rein halfway down the straight and I couldn’t pick it up, it was too long.
“I just kept riding her along. It was a good gutsy win.
“Probably a little bit (out on her feet), which she was entitled to be.
“I’ve won a Caulfield Cup dropping the reins, so it still counts. It’s not ideal, but I’m riding light today and a win is a win.”
Horse racing news
