VANTAN EXPRESS posted consecutive wins at the Sunshine Coast when duly saluting as an odds-on favourite on Friday night.
The 3YO gelding started at the prohibitive price of $1.85 in the 1600m BM65 Handicap, having broken his maiden in emphatic style at the same venue a fortnight prior.
Rider Boris Thornton had to extricate VANTAN EXPRESS from an awkward spot in that maiden win but had no such troubles on Friday as he obtained a perfect trailing position.
Despite racing a touch keenly during the middle stages, the son of VANCOUVER never looked in doubt in the run home as he surged clear of his rivals to win by 0.8 lengths.
“He was half-fighting me at times, but he responded well in the straight and I was very happy with his performance,” Thornton said.
VANTAN EXPRESS hasn’t been an easy horse to educate but the patience of trainers Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted is really starting to shine through, evidenced by two wins and two placings from only five starts.
Proven Thoroughbreds acquired VANTAN EXPRESS for $110k from Widden Stud’s draft at the 2020 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
Friday’s victory takes our yearly winners tally to a record-breaking 62 while our seasonal count is up to 29.