October 4, 2014 - RANDWICK, Race 2, Lst Stk, AUD $100,000, 5f
1st Dam: Skates (Aus)
2st Dam: Skating (Aus)
2st Dam: Raffett (Aus)
Owner: Ms K Waterhouse, F A Kennedy, Ms B L Kennedy et al
Breeder: Fairway Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse
VANCOUVER (AUS) (c, 2, Medaglia d'Oro–Skates {Aus} {SP-Aus}, by Danehill) earned TDN Rising Star status while handing trainer Gai Waterhouse her fourth straight renewal of this prestigious juvenile event. Driven straight to the lead, Vancouver set a hot pace with favored Sooboog (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), an A$1.5 million Inglis Easter purchase by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum, breathing down his neck. The stage appeared set for a tussle at the top of the lane, but Vancouver was always holding his rival through the lane, drawing off late to win by 1 1/2 lengths in a final time of :57.58 for five furlongs, the fastest renewal of the Breeders' Plate since 2006 and the first time in eight years the colts ran faster than the fillies in their equivalient, the Listed Gimcrack S. one race earlier. Waterhouse was quickly to compare Vancouver to her most famed Breeders' Plate winner, 2012 2-year-old Triple Crown winner Pierro (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}), after the race. “He's right up there with him,” Waterhouse said. “This horse is very special.” Vancouver was purchased by Gai Waterhouse/James Harron Bloodstock for A$185,000 at this year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from Coolmore Stud. He is a half to Juste Momente (Aus) (Giant's Causeway), G1SW-Aus; and Captain Coltish (Aus) (Fusaichi Pegasus), SW-Aus. The stakes-placed Skates is a half to Group 1 winner and sire Murtajill (Aus) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}) and sire Bradbury's Luck (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, A$60,000. O-Ms K Waterhouse, F A Kennedy, Mrs B L Kennedy, Bangaloe Stud (Mgr: Miss J C Ritchie), A Konstantatos & D Healey. B-Fairway Thoroughbreds. T-Gai Waterhouse.
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