Stepping out beyond 2000 metres and the addition of blinkers proved the perfect formula for success for promising stayer Vineux, who broke her maiden in dominant fashion at Cranbourne on Friday, December 19.

Backing up a week after a solid effort at Geelong, Vineux was able to control the race from the outside leader position. The early tempo was quite slow before a mid-race move injected speed and broke the field open. Despite rivals making their runs a long way from home, John Allen held his nerve, allowing the race to unfold and Vineux to build through her gears, resulting in her coming clear to score eased down by 1.75 lengths.

The lightly raced mare has been a work in progress throughout her career, and trainer Mitchell  Freedman has always believed she would improve significantly once blinkers were applied and she reached her preferred staying distances.

Freedman said, “She has always been crying out for the addition of blinkers, and we’re really pleased that she has now found some form. She had a freshen-up in the stable after her first two runs in winter, and we changed a few things in her training, which has brought about significant improvement. She’s not the easiest horse to manage, but the team has done a great job getting her to this stage. This is one of the most rewarding wins of the season so far.”

Across her past three starts, each beyond 2000m, Vineux has finished second, third, and now first, collecting $38,610 in prize money and clearly thriving with racing.

Congratulations to all involved with Vineux, and we look forward to seeing her return to the track on New Year’s Day at Hanging Rock.