News in brief from William Reid Stakes Day at Moonee Valley.
Vibrant Sun takes Stakes step
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr thought enough of Vibrant Sun to head to a Group 1 race at the end of the spring.
While that did not pay a divdend, Vibrant Sun has returned in the autumn to land an all-important Black Type race with her victory in the Alexandra Stakes (1600m).
"What is good about it is that she didn't have black type and now she is a Group 3 winner," Price said.
Vibrant Sun was one of a team of horses that Price took to The Valley on Tuesday morning for a gallop.
He said that workout was full of gusto and pointed to the filly running a forward race.
Next stop for Vibrant Sun is expected to be the Adelaide Carnival.
"She'll go to Adelaide now, I imagine," Price said.
"We put a circle around the Australasian Oaks. She's got a turn-of-foot, she's clean winded, she's sound."
Stakes double for Price and Kent Jnr
Gumdrops provided the Price and Kent Jnr stable and jockey Tom Stockdale with a double in taking out the Group 3 Don Casbolt Classic (1200m).
A three-time winner from five starts, the task for Price and Kent Jnr now is to try and boost the filly's record for her future as a broodmare.
"Gumdrops is a better filly than she was last time in and I'm very happy for Thomas," Price said.
"He didn't panic, and I suppose now we have to work out what is next.
"How do you win a Group 1 with her?
"But 1200-metres is good for this filly. It is ideal."
Price suggests the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville next month could be the logical target.
Growing Empire lands Valley Pearl
The Ciaron Maher stable entered a two-year-old Stakes race with a strong hand.
Spywire was sent out the $2.80 top elect in the Listed Valley Pearl (1200m), but it was left to the 'roughie' of the pair, Growing Empire ($4), to lead throughout with the favourite in fourth spot.
Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said Growing Empire, who was prepared for Saturday's race in Sydney by Maher's assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord, was likely to head back over the border for another Stakes race next month.
"To travel down this week, a track he's never been at, wearing blinkers first time, it's a good result," Turnbull said.
"He trialled up well and raced well on debut up in Sydney and we found the right race. He jumped on speed eventually, he was a little slow, but he saw it out strongly.
"He may head back up to Sydney for the Kindergarten Stakes."
Turnbull said Spywire, who started his career in NSW in November, raced at the Gold Coast in January, before heading to Melbourne, was likely to be spelled.
"I think he will go for a break now, he's earned that," Turnbull said.
"Today was his last chance to get some Black Type as a two-year-old and that was our discussion pre-race, but it was pretty much a track gallop today, so we'll see what the boss thinks."
Sir Davey makes it three straight for Maher
The Ciaron Maher stable was on fire early in the program, notching three straight wins after Growing Empire took out the Listed Valley Pearl which was followed by Strawberry Rock in the Ascend Sales Trophies Handicap (2500m).
Popping over a few jumps on Thursday sparked Sir Davey to complete the treble when successful in the Caspers Pies & Pastries Handicap (1500m).
Sir Davey had been trained out of Maher's Ballarat stable before the decision was made to switch him for a change of scenery to Cranbourne.
"He's a quirky horse but we got him down south and changed up a few things," assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said.
"We took off his crossover and did a bit of schooling. Luke Cartwright took him down the lane on Thursday and did a few obstacles there.
"We turned the screw a touch and put him into the race today."
