The Steve O’Dea/Matt Hoysted juggernaut continued Thursday at Gatton when stable apprentice Emily Lang fortuitously steered $1.95 favourite VANTAN EXPRESS through some messy interference in the middle stages to ultimate victory.
The 1600m event was the VANCOUVER gelding’s third trip to the winner’s circle in just 10 starts and only his third run back from a 7 month break last year. In securing the win, the 4YO was cleverly extricated from trouble at the 1100m by Emily which later resulted in rival jockey Tiff Brooker being suspended.
“After checking him before the first turn I was pretty sure at about the 600m, that he’d go very close to winning because he felt really good in my hands,” enthused Lang post-race.
“As soon as I asked him to go through his gears, he just let rip and was able to put them away easily.”
Despite showing ability from the early days, VANTAN EXPRESS has taken time to mature and fulfil some of his early potential. And whilst he’s winning (albeit in regional class 3 company), he can hopefully progress further for his patient owners.
The O’Dea/Hoysted team will look to place the horse to advantage in coming weeks over distances around 1600m. In a grand start to 2023 the win was Proven’s 6th in the last 12 days and 12th since January 1.