Wellington Cup tilt for richly-bred mare
02 Dec 2017Kevin Gray was given further encouragement this afternoon to raise his sights with his in-form staying mare All In Vogue.
The Palmerston North horseman is keen on a crack at the Gr.3 Wallaceville Estate Wellington Cup (3200m) and plans firmed up following the well-bred mare’s win in the Listed Cambridge Thoroughbred Lodge Wanganui Cup (2040m).
Based on a past visit to the capital city course, Gray is confident that All In Vogue can master the extra distance of the Trentham feature on January 20.
“She’s nominated and she’s already run a mile and a-half well there so I don’t see the two miles as a problem,” Gray said.
He was referring to All In Vogue’s second placing behind Rock On, a winner at Otaki on Friday, in last season’s Listed New Zealand St Leger (2500m).
A daughter of Pins and the multiple Group One winner Tall Poppy, All In Vogue was bred by Goodwood Stud in partnership with Fairdale Stud.
The mare was given a sweet run near the pace at Wanganui by Leah Hemi and they came with a well-timed run to take the day’s feature.
Gray had been in a confident pre-race mood following the five-year-old’s bold showing to finish runner-up in the Waverley Cup (2200m) at her previous appearance.
“I thought she went a top race and the track today was perfect for her and she had the right weight,” he said.