Vanguard Looks A Sprinter To Watch
Unexposed and on an upward curve, Brilliant Vanguard certainly looks like a 3 year old to keep an eye on as he won his second career race when narrowly holding on in the 6f Ripon Farm Services Handicap.
Brilliant Vanguard started the season in perfect fashion when dead heating with Zebedaios at Pontefract. That rival has gone on to win a good handicap so the form was rock solid. Vanguard shaped as though he may need a step up from 6f after that win and Kevin aimed him for York over 7f. Unfortunately nothing went right for him, getting a nightmare passage throughout and really having a rough race, never getting involved and finishing down the field. Kevin immediately put a line through that race and decided that, along with Paul (Mulrennan), the horse shaped as though he may be a sprinter and 6f was the way forward.
At this point of the season there are a lot of options over 6f for 3 year olds. These handicaps are invariably competitive with trainers trying to win in this slightly lower grade before tackling the bigger prizes come the top meetings. Kevin had this thought too and felt Vanguard could be exactly the right type to compete in those sprints. Having assessed all the options he decided Ripon would be the next destination.
Once the declarations came out for the 6f event it was plain to see that it would be a very competitive race with good form figures and unexposed types lining up. Vanguard fell into that category and Kevin was confident he could bounce back to form. He is a gelding who is still learning and there was a slight concern with the track. Not only does Ripon have a unique feel due to it’s undulations but because you race downhill it is always fast and furious. Brilliant Vanguard was going to have to wise up quickly to make sure he wasn’t left stranded and that is exactly what he did.
Following his maiden win, Paul Mulrennan has kept the ride and was on board once again. Keen to ensure that Vanguard was given the best chance possible Paul wanted to be very positive. As the stalls opened Paul booted his mount out and gave him the rush along. Vanguard didn’t need it as he was out smartly, showing a greater maturity, and was quickly into his stride. Tracking over from stall 4 he moved across the track to lead towards the the outer of the 11 runner field. Through the first furlong Brilliant Vanguard headed the field along with stable mate Dodgy Bob and a couple of others who were forcing the issue.
Like most sprints at Ripon the pace was strong and Vanguard was handling the undulations well, travelling sweetly for Paul. The field was tightly bunched through the first half of the race and there was still a wall of four pushing the pace with Vanguard being one of them. He was showing a lot of pace and looked to be really enjoying himself with his experience now starting to show.
The field were quickly down to halfway and there were challengers lining up, ready to pick off the leaders. Vanguard was still travelling well but then just hit a slight flat spot. This was the first sign of a little bit of immaturity still and he just pitched on one of the undulations. Fortunately he had a very good partner with Paul, who quickly tightened his grip on the reins and niggled him back into the bridle. That spot didn’t cost him and he still had his nose in front although there were big dangers looming large.
It was time for the business end of the race and after his little urging, Paul was now motionless once again. The pace horses now came under pressure but Vanguard was holding them comfortably. The favourite Flying Clarets came with a good looking run towards the outer. They moved inside the final 2f and now Vanguard just pulled away with the favourite. The horses who tracked the pace had no more to give and it was the Fahey trained pair Flying Clarets and Mustique who were the obvious dangers.
Brilliant Vanguard had beaten off his early challengers and as they moved towards the final furlong Paul decided to ask for the finishing move. Vanguard responded and quickened up leaving his nearest pursuers and making his way home. It looked like a winning move and he now had a nice advantage to hold on to. The 1f came and went and he looked the likely winner. Paul was in full drive but then looking just a couple of lengths off there was a fast finishing Rantan who was powering through the field.
Vanguard Quickens and Tries To Pull Clear
The race was now going to come down to the last 1/2f and Vanguard still held sway. Rantan was really rattling home and was eating into the ground, with the sound of his hoofs ringing in Mulrennan’s ears. Vanguard was all out and was just searching for the winning line having been at the front end all the way. There was a late thrust from Rantan and he joined Vanguard in the dying strides. It was going to be on the nod and the pair flashed past the winning line as one. Immediately it looked like Rantan had nicked the race in the final strides but the TV cameras had different ideas, focussing on Vanguard. It was close but Vanguard had his head down on the line and this gave a glimmer of hope. The judge didn’t hang about and the announcement soon rang out across the track, winner number 7, Brilliant Vanguard.
Battling All The Way To The Line For A Gutsy Win
It was a tough and gutsy win in the end but Brilliant Vanguard showed so much throughout the race. Jumping smartly and travelling strong through the race showed how much he has grown up since his Pontefract win. There was just a little sign of immaturity still and there is still a long way to go with him but he is learning with every race. Vanguard has plenty of scope to continue growing and strengthening, making him look as though there is still plenty of improvement left in the tank. Winning off a mark of 78 he will now go up in the handicap but the long term goal will be to try and get him into the top 3 year old sprints. Owners J Chua and C K Ong have been patient with Brilliant Vanguard and it looks to now be paying off with plenty to look forward to for the rest of the season.