Virvacity Wins Thackeray Steeple
- Sunday, 11 July 2010 09:44
The Darren Weir-trained Virvacity turned the tables on Tarawera from their last clash in the Australian Steeplechase to win the $100,000 Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m) at Warrnambool on Sunday.
Ridden by regular rider Tommy Logan, Virvacity was produced at the right time to attack leader Al Garhood and fellow on-pace runner Russian Rule approaching the second last jump at the 650 metre mark.
“Al Garhood started to come off the bridle 800 (metres) out and I was pretty confident I had them covered,” Logan said.
“But Russian Rule kicked back pretty good - better then I thought – and we then jumped the last in front and just hoped there was nothing behind us.”
Unfortunately there was something behind Logan and it quickly was alongside him.Tarawera burst through along the rails to issue a challenge close to the line but Virvacity was not going to be denied victory.
Virvacity ($4-$4.60) defeated Tarawera ($2.20-$2.70-$2.60 fav) by a long head with Russian Rule ($9-$10-$9) a further 5-1/2 lengths away in third.
Al Garhood ($3.10) weakened over the concluding stages into fourth, the 70kgs simply too much of an impost.
“Darren Weir has done a fantastic job with this horse to get him back, he had a lot of problems with him but he’s done an amazing job.”
“He’s a pretty old horse now but he’s only coming good now.”
Today was Virvacity’s third feature race win over the jumps. He has won the 2006 Galleywood Hurdle and the 2008 Von Doussa Steeplechase.
A winner of 10 from 55 starts, Virvacity has earned $397,648 in prizemoney.
Virvacity will now be aimed towards the $150,000 Grand National Steeple (4530m) at Sandown on August 15.
Picture: Sportpix
