Under-rated mare Somethingvain signed off her latest campaign with a gritty victory at Ellerslie on the weekend.
The lightly raced five-year-old entered Saturday's rating 85 1200 metre contest off the back of two sound performances at Group Two level however was unwanted in the betting as punters focussed their attention on talented three-year-old Ferrando, who started a warm favourite.
Rider Sam Spratt had Somethingvain positioned nicely throughout as she tracked the early speed set by Ferrando and He's Cavalier. Spratt angled the mare into a challenging position in the home straight before driving her to the front at the 300 metre mark. Despite being hotly challenged by eventual runner-up Latin Rose, Somethingvain found plenty in the concluding stages to hold out all challenges in a respectable 1.12.00 for the journey on the Slow7 rated surface.
Co-trainer Michael Rogers had mixed emotions about the win when questioned after the race.
"She's had a lot of bad luck with tracks this year so it has been a bit frustrating," he said.
"This was her swansong for the season. We were going to go to Te Aroha for the Group One but they turned it left-handed which she doesn't like so we had to come here."
Rogers was referring to the Gr. 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes which was raced at Te Rapa after the meeting was moved due to concerns over the Te Aroha track following persistent heavy rain prior to raceday.
Rogers was pleased with how Saturday's race unfolded after Spratt opted to sit off the speed on the noted front-runner.
"She can take a sit if there is enough pace on and especially over 1200 metres where they go that little bit quicker," he noted.
"Most of her wins have been over 1400 metres but at this distance they go quicker and that lets her get into a nice rhythm."
Somethingvain will head to the spelling paddock after registering her sixth win from 23 starts along with two minor placings that includes a runner-up finish in the Gr. 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Pukekohe last November.
