Exciting Win for Fastnet colt

Exciting colt Vero Beach (3c Fastnet Rock x Bellevue Lady, by Zabeel) was the most expensive youngster at the 2012 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale and he cast off maiden status with a powerful seven length maiden win at Kyneton on Wednesday. Vero Beach could finish only fourth when making his debut last March in the Listed MVRC St Albans Stakes won by Cruden Bay, but it was a very different colt that lined up on Wednesday. Sent out in sparkling order by Mark Kavanagh and partnered by Steve Baster, Vero Beach was a hot favourite and ran right up to the expectation of punters. He crossed from gate six in the field of six and led throughout before cantering home to win the 1100 metre dash with the proverbial leg in the air. “You like them to win like that and then go right on with it and I hope he can,” said Mark Kavanagh. “He’s just taken some time. We had him entered for all the big races in the spring, but just couldn’t quite get him there through immaturity. “The owners have been very patient and I think they will be rewarded.” Kavanagh indicated he would now look for a suitable carnival race for Vero Beach interstate with carnivals in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide all under consideration. A $500,000 Inglis Premier purchase for James Bester Bloodstock/Demi O’Byrne, Vero Beach runs for a syndicate comprising Coolmore and various partners, who have invested in a number of top end colts as potential sire prospects including Bull Point (3c Fastnet Rock x Rose of Cimmaron, by Bite the Bullet), who runs in the Group I ATC Randwick Guineas on Saturday. Vero Beach was a successful pinhook for Musk Creek Farm having been bought as a weanling by Tim Stewart and Associates for $145,000 at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale from the Newgate Farm draft. Vero Beach is the second winner for Bellevue Lady, a half-sister by Zabeel to Group II placed Mango Daiquiri from the international family of Group I winners Cherokee Rose, Kirklees, Mastery and Noordhoek Flyer. Being by champion sire Fastnet Rock from a daughter of Zabeel, Vero Beach is bred on a very successful cross that has already produced Group I winners Atlantic Jewel and Planet Rock.