Trainer Matt Laurie is riding a wave of success after Vinrock gave him his second Group 1 win in just four days with a thrilling victory in the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes.
Vinrock extended his unbeaten streak to three and made history by becoming the first horse since Full On Aces in 1981 to claim the VRC-ATC Sires’ Produce double.
Laurie is also responsible for star filly Treasurethe Moment, who secured the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) earlier in the week and is the firm favourite for the Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick.
This marks Laurie’s fifth Group 1 success and comes more than a decade after he broke through with Escado in the 2013 South Australian Derby.
“It’s a dream come true,” Laurie said.
“We don’t buy huge amounts of yearlings and we do OK in our selection. I am just very proud of the horse and very proud of the team.
“Having a horse like Treasurethe Moment is incredible but to pick out a colt at the sales and be here winning a Group One three starts later, it’s mind blowing.”
Vinrock, a son of I Am Invincible, failed to meet his reserve at Inglis’ Melbourne Premier Sale before Laurie later purchased him privately for $300,000.
The colt’s latest win pushed his prize money past $800,000, but his future value as a stallion is expected to be significantly higher.
“I found him at the Premier Sale. He was a lovely looking horse. I valued him a lot higher and he passed in and I managed to go down and buy him post-sale,” Laurie recalled.
“I’ve got quite a bit of family in him too so it is very special.”
Laurie had the Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in mind for Vinrock even before his first official start.
“Straight after I rode him for the first time after him being broken in,” he said.
He confirmed the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) is the likely next target if the colt pulls up well from this run.
Vinrock jumped as the $3.40 favourite and edged out State Visit ($18) by a half-neck, with Buffalo ($18) just a half-head further behind in a tight finish.
Only a length separated the first five runners, with Golden Slipper runner-up Wodeton finishing fourth after a wide run and Rivellino fifth after encountering trouble in the straight.
