Vespa on Track for Group One

Vespa is a seasoned stakes performer with seven wins from his 12 starts, five at stakes level, for trainer Johno Benner. Winning his last start in the Group 2 Wellington Guineas, he won three consecutive black-type races starting with the Listed $1m Karaka Million followed by the Group 1 Diamond Stakes and the Listed Westbury Stud Challenge Stakes.

"It was a big test for the horse," said Benner. "He is back to his best now though and has pulled up great.

"Mark (Du Plessis) thinks he has improved a lot since his two-year-old year which is a positive because he was very good at two."

Mark Du Plessis took the ride on Vespa, starting from barrier 2, he settled into fifth position as Angelica Hall (NZ) (Guillotine) went into the lead in the early stages. Travelling to the outside of Miss Foxwood (Fastnet Rock) on the turn for home, Vespa pulled out wide in a bid to catch the leader.

Ranging up with 200m to run, Vespa powered through, overtaking Angelica Hall with a clear win by one-and-a-half-lengths. Finishing in second and third place was Angelica Hall and Miss Foxwood respectively.

"He will be heading to the Easter Handicap now," noted Benner.

The Elusive City colt has now won $823,213 in prizemoney for his owners John Norwood and Chris Rutten.

Cavallo Agistment Centre, operated by Norwood and Rutten, purchased Vespa at the 2013 Karaka Select Sale for $34,000 from Kevin Hickman's Valachi Downs.

Bred by Kevin Hickman, the three-year-old is out of Miss Avalon (Fantastic Light) who is a half-sister to stakes winner Toruk Macto (Authorized) and stakes placegetter Direhorse (Bushranger).

NZB Release