The progeny of Arrowfield Stud’s hot young sire The Autumn Sun filled the trifecta in Saturday’s A$1 million Gr1 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville with a pair of fillies sold on the Gold Coast leading the way.
Vibrant Sun (Mark Zahra) notches thrilling win in Australasian Oaks (Pic – Magic Millions)
Vibrant Sun showed great fight to hold out all challenges in a driving finish – edging out a charging Private Legacy and a gallant Coco Sun.
The winner, a A$260,000 buy for connections from the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, was able to make it back to back group wins with her latest victory.
At her previous run the rising star beat a quality field to capture the Group Three Alexandra Stakes at Moonee Valley.
The filly, purchased by leading bloodstock agent Sheamus Mills in conjunction with her stable, is prepared by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.
“We always liked her,” Kent Jnr said. “She won her maiden by seven lengths and went to the Thousand Guineas.”
Kent Jnr said everything didn’t go plan between the Alexandra but the filly’s class did the talking.
“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.”
Co-trainer Kent Jnr said there was no rush to decide whether the filly could head to Brisbane for the Queensland Winter Carnival.
“We’ll take stock and talk to everybody. She doesn’t have to go anywhere now, she’s a Group One winner. We’ll work that out on Monday morning.”
Vibrant Sun’s win was the 30th at the elite level for proven big race rider Mark Zahra and while he struggled to regain a dropped rein, his mount did him proud.
“Really gutsy,” Zahra said. “I couldn’t have her much slower in the run. 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.”
“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,” Zahra added.
Vibrant Sun was bred in Queensland at Canning Downs, the property owned by John Barnes and his wife Joy Mackay.
“They’re very rare and of course it’s so very exciting,” Mackay said. “We are in France and it’s the best possible result at 08h00 in the morning!”
“We had two beautiful fillies in that year, at the Gold Coast, and I know Sheamus Mills was very keen to have her.”
“He teamed up with Mick and Michael and purchased her and we were keen to keep a share, but he said the stable and his clients were all keen and we missed out – but that’s ok we are so thrilled for everyone!”
“Vibrant Sun was a lovely filly right from Day One. She never took a backward step.”
“We still have the mother at home. She was a very tough racemare and we are hoping she will present us a lovely Jonker foal this spring.”
“Hopefully we will be able to send (dam) Vibrant Rouge back to The Autumn Sun,” Mackay added.
Vibrant Rouge, an eight-time winner by Written Tycoon, retired to stud after earning over A$450,000. Her feature success came in a Group Three Vamos Stakes in Tasmania.
Her two named foals to date are both winners – Vibrant Sun and the twice winning and Sydney placed Yangarra Rose (Zoustar).
- Winner: Vibrant Sun
- Breeding: The Autumn Sun-Vibrant Rouge (Written Tycoon)
- Race: SAJC Australasian Oaks Gr1 (2000m)
- Sold for: A$260,000
- Sale: 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
- Earnings: A$697,475
- Breeder: Canning Downs Pty Ltd
- Vendor: Canning Downs
- Buyer: Sheamus Mills Bloodstock/Mick Price Racing & Breeding
- Owners: Sheamus Mills Bloodstock P/L, Chesapeake Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd, Peake Racing, R Bayliss, A Giffard, Mrs S Giffard, R Fleetwood, B Rea, A Blackshaw, Hot Racing, Mrs S Oliver, W Sly, B Shipton, J Brennan, P O’Brien, J Odria, YID Racing, P Finn, T Miller & E Alderidge
- Trainer: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr (Cranbourne)
