Vin Santo is certainly enjoying a purple patch, claiming his second win this preparation with another determined performance at Sunshine Coast on Sunday, 27 September.
Lining up in the Peter Andrew R/E Benchmark 65 Handicap, Vin Santo went into the race as favourite following a wonderfully consistent preparation – and once again delivered.
Trainer Renita Beaton presented Vin Santo in excellent race condition, while late scratchings saw him move in from barrier seven to barrier five. The decision to put young apprentice Maddie Mankelow aboard also proved an excellent one, with her three-kilogram apprentice allowance helping Vin Santo produce a tough winning effort.
Vin Santo jumped cleanly, as he so often does, but with plenty of early speed to his inside he was required to work before eventually settling outside the leader, Gagnante Enchere.
Turning for home, Vin Santo dug deep and showed plenty of determination under sustained pressure from his rivals. He found enough when it mattered, holding off Gagnante Enchere by 0.18 lengths in an exciting finish, with the third-placed runner also close behind.
It was another terrific performance and a thoroughly deserved second win of the campaign for Vin Santo, taking his record this preparation to an impressive 1-2-2-1.
As the pre-race commentary noted, “Vin Santo is having a purple patch and deserves his favourite status.” His consistency this preparation is certainly proving them right.
