Group 1-winning colt Vanbrugh has been spelled, trainer Chris Waller confirmed, with the three-year-old now aiming to continue the stable’s run in the Epsom Handicap (1600m) in the Sydney spring.
The son of Encosta de Lago enjoyed a fruitful spring campaign last year, winning three straight – highlighted by the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick in October.
The three-year-old had no winning luck in the autumn, finishing fourth behind Tarzino in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and sixth in the Australian Guineas (1600m) behind Palentino at Flemington.
Waller said his charge would be better suited by the likely firmer tracks on offer in the spring, as he looks to continue his stranglehold on the race – with Boban (2013), He’s Your Man (2014) and Winx (2015) reigning previously for the leading stable.
“With his turn of foot, better tracks are key for Vanbrugh and he would be very competitive at Randwick where he won as a two-year-old and this season in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes,” Waller said in a release.
“I think 1600 to 2000 metres is potentially his best trip and obviously more success at the highest level will enhance the stud prospects of an already valuable colt.”
– racing.com
