Vosne Romanee (7 Ch. G. Electronic Zone – Madison Avenue, by Morcon) won his third group one weight-for-age race for the season when taking out the $200,000, Group One Skycity New Zealand Stakes over 2000 metres at Ellerslie on Saturday.

The star galloper provided a fairytale season for owners Ian and Alana Smart, with the rousing support of their four teenage children, and Awapuni trainer Jeff Lynds.

Bred by the owners, Vosne Romanee failed to attract a bid when offered for sale as a yearling.

“It’s been a long time coming for me, and it’s been a pleasure to train a horse like this”, said Lynds, who has also had terrific success in recent times as trainer of Wall Street and Booming.

Winner of the Kelt Capital Stakes at Hastings in October ($55.40 & $9.70) and the Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day ($26.30 & $6.20), Vosne Romanee came off a slashing run for fourth to Mufhasa in a group one mile run in near track record time at Otaki last start.

From seventh in a field of ten, rider Opie Bosson brought Vosne Romanee off a genuine pace to level wide on the track with a furlong remaining, before his acceleration when asked put paid to rivals.

He was dominant at the line when scoring by one length from Harris Tweed, with a long head to Tell A Tale in third, while the favourite Red Ruler was a nose away in fourth.

On good footing, the time for the 2000 metres was 2:01.63, last 600m 35.31, and Vosne Romanee paid $4.40 & $1.80.

Lynds said Vosne Romanee would now be aimed at the A$350,000, Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes WFA over 2000 metres at Royal Randwick in Sydney on April 24.

With nine wins from twenty-nine starts, Vosne Romanee boasts earnings of $1,211,700.

Lynds said, “He’s a great trooper, isn’t he? Not many horses can run their last 600 metres in 33 seconds and he’s got a great turn of pace. We always thought he would be better at 2000 metres. We tried him at 2200m and he just can’t quite get there, but there’s a lot of good money to be made at 2000 metres."

“It’s a great thrill for the owners and the stable, and it’s good to get hold of horse like this I can tell you.”

“We call him Popgun. He's a terribly conformed horse, but he’s a racehorse. He’s a lovely horse to train, but he has all his riders on and has his own little ways. He tries to fool them and has them on in his own little peculiar way, but he’s a lovely horse to handle. He’s got character and he knows exactly what’s going on all over the place.”

After a relatively quiet carnival by his high standards, Bosson was thrilled with the victory aboard Vosne Romanee, having had his first ride on him at his previous start.

“I needed that win. It’s been a quiet carnival and I was getting frustrated”, said Bosson.

“I got a beautiful run the whole way and tracked Red Ruler coming to the turn.

"Once we came out he really accelerated and he was just too good.

"When you ask him to go he just goes bang.

"I felt really confident going into today after his top run for fourth the other day to Mufhasa over a mile, which was a little bit short for him, and 2000 metres is ideal.

"Jeff had asked me a few times to ride him, but it just hadn’t worked out and it’s the right time now. He doesn’t overdo things in the run, but as soon as you give him a flick, you know he’s there.”

It was the fourth group one victory this season for Bosson, following two aboard Katie Lee, and Ekstreme.