Matt Laurie has hit top form with a second Group 1 victory in less than a week, thanks to Vinrock’s gritty performance in the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes.
The unbeaten colt has now won three straight and entered the record books as the first to land the VRC-ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes double since 1981.
Laurie’s star filly Treasurethe Moment, who claimed the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), is tipped to shine again in the Australian Oaks (2400m) during the second day of The Championships.
This latest win marked Laurie’s fifth major and came 12 years after his maiden Group 1 with Escado in the 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, by I Am Invincible, was originally passed in at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale before Laurie secured him post-auction for $300,000.
The colt’s earnings have now exceeded $800,000, but his worth as a future stallion could be far greater.
“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 in mind even before Vinrock had his first official hit-out.
“Straight after I rode him for the first time after him being broken in,” he said.
Looking ahead, Vinrock is set to line up in the Champagne Stakes (1600m) in two weeks, pending a smooth recovery.
As a $3.40 favourite, Vinrock held off State Visit ($18) by a half-neck, with Buffalo ($18) just behind in a nail-biting finish.
Wodeton, runner-up in the Golden Slipper, finished fourth after a tough wide trip, while Rivellino settled for fifth after running into traffic in the straight.
