Veyron was responsible for a boilover in Sydney last Saturday when the multiple Group 1 winning Kiwi Raider upstaged Rain Affair in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m).
The Linda Laing-trained galloper went into last Saturday’s Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) largely unnoticed as all eyes were on Rain Affair.
Rain Affair had been dominant on resuming in the Missile Stakes (1200m) and against a field largely comprised of middle distance and staying types, Joe Pride’s stable star was expected to deliver something similar.
Veyron on other hand was a safely held fifth resuming in an Open Handicap at Ruakaka where he carried the grandstand (64.5kg).
Things went according to script early on as Rain Affair sped to the front with Streama in pursuit.
A majority of Rain Affair’s more dour rivals struggled to keep up but Veyron stayed in touch.
Reeling in the tearaway leader looked a tough assignment for Veyron at the 600m however the son of Thorn Park was brave and didn’t shirk his task.
After a strong early tempo, Rain Affair weakened over the final furlong and Veyron was there to pounce with a short half head victory the end result.
The ever consistent Streama ran second while Rain Affair finished third.
Veyron’s surprise victory in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes last Saturday was assessed at 121, equal to the master figure Linda Laing’s multiple Group 1 winner has repeatedly returned in New Zealand.
His performance sits nicely on the prior five year winning average of the event which has been claimed by the likes of Pinwheel [2011, 118 & 2012, 121], Metal Bender [2010, 123], Trusting [2009, 116] and Racing To Win [2008, 117p].
Veyron will continue contesting Sydney weight-for-age contests this spring such as the Chelmsford Stakes and the George Main Stakes each over the Randwick Mile.
Connections will then consider the Epsom Handicap (1600m) with the decision largely dependent on the weight Veyron is given.
A five time NZ Group 1 winner, Veyron should be one of the topweights.
Turning heads during the final race of the day at Warwick Farm was Rebel Dane in the Group 3 Show County (1200m).
Resuming off an encouraging autumn campaign where he claimed the Group 2 Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m) and almost defeated Pierro in Sydney for the first time, Rebel Dane was heavily supported.
Expectations were high for Rebel Dane who looked to find a very suitable first up outing one month after trialling sharply at the course four weeks earlier.
Glen Boss partnered Gary Portelli’s stable star on that occasion and successfully chased down the ride last Saturday.
Rebel Dane was positioned midfield in transit and showed his class immediately upon straightening.
He edged to the front just inside the final 200m before drawing clear for a 1.3 length win with Glen Boss posing for the photo.
A Timeform figure of 115p was awarded to Rebel Dane for his first up heroics, five pounds shy of a master figure yielded when narrowly accounted for by Pierro in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m).
At this point, Rebel Dane is expected to venture south for a second up task of the Group 3 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington on September 7.
