Racing: Veteran Viktor Locks up Cup

Trainer Casey Lock gives her best mate a hug after his stunning win. Photo / Trish Dunell

Hardy veteran Viktor Vegas struck a blow for the older generation when he ploughed through the wet underfoot conditions at Te Rapa yesterday to blitz his rivals in the Group 3 Waikato Cup (2400m).

The nine-year-old has been reinvigorated under the guidance of trainer Casey Lock and belied his advanced age as he backed up the form that saw him run close up in third in the Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m) at his most recent start.

Jockey Kozzi Asano allowed his charge to find his feet in the early stages of the contest, which was run on a heavy8 surface that had been badly affected by persistent heavy showers earlier in the day, as he dropped out to a clear last in the first 800m.

With the pacemakers taking a wide berth down the back straight and around the home bend, Asano took full advantage as he picked a path between runners to strike the front early in the run home.

Viktor Vegas skipped away to a four-length lead which he maintained to the winning post to defeat Dionysus and Aromatic.

Lock was overjoyed with the win in a race that she had dreamed of success in since riding 2002 Waikato Cup runner-up Lord Mighty Mellay in trackwork 20 years ago.

“I am just so lucky to have such an amazing horse like him,” she said. “He is my best mate as we do everything together and I’ve known from day one he just needed ground.

“I used to ride a horse called Lord Mighty Mellay in trackwork and he came second in this race and I have always wanted to win this one for me and for Dad.”

Lock advised Viktor Vegas will spend a week in his paddock and then she would aim him for the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham on January 28.

Asano was all smiles as he accepted plaudits from friends and family after the race.

“The way he was travelling down the back straight I was in trouble as I just had to get out,” he said.

“Once he got away at the top of the straight, he was just too good for them.

“I wanted to stay wide on him but there were too many horses doing the same, so I couldn’t. In the end it didn’t matter as the horse is just so capable.

“My parents are still here visiting so it is great to get the job done in front of them.”

Bred by Bob Emery and now raced by Lock, Viktor Vegas began his career in the hands of the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman stable where he won twice before transferring to Lock’s father, Peter, who won a further three races before being taken over by Lock where he has recorded two wins from seven starts to take his overall record to seven wins from 35 starts and $234,000 in prizemoney.

The win capped a special day for the Lock family with Peter producing mare Faithful Feat to win the Group 3 Sprint (1400m) earlier on the card.

In the $140,000 Stakes, warm favourite Sinarahma provided a further example of her undoubted class when she cruised to victory.

Settled in behind a steady pace set up by Express Princess and Silverina, the eight-year-old was jogging as jockey Craig Grylls eased her to the outside early in the run home, before asking for a serious effort at the 250m.

Sinarahma shot clear and glided to the winning post a comfortable 2 lengths clear of Le Sablier, and Silverina who stuck on well to notch a valuable

black-type placing.

Grylls was full of compliments for his charge after the race. “That was a top effort as she jumped really good and found the trail,” he said. “It worked out well as I was able to peel out wider and get to the better ground and she did the rest.”

- NZ Racing Desk