Michael Howard
Just days after celebrating the extraordinary career of Tornado Valley the team behind the million-dollar trotter has emerged with another potentially top tier horse.
Vintage Cheddar was impressive in registering a third consecutive victory in tonight’s Nutrien Equine Markovina Free For All, the seven-year-old proving himself another savvy purchase by trainer Andy Gath for owner Norm Jenkin.
With reinswoman Kate Gath they’ve enjoyed extraordinary success with squaregaiters Tornado Valley, who was retired on Thursday, and McLovin, and Kate was excited about the new addition who’s unbeaten in three starts since crossing the Tasman.
“There’s no doubt this horse was up with New Zealand’s best when he was going good,” Kate said.
“Andy liked him a couple of years ago when he was really in form, the times he can run at the end of 2600 are pretty good and up there with what most of the really good horses can run.
“He was pretty badly out of form the last two months, maybe even 12 months, he definitely hasn’t been going like what he can.”
She said the form drop meant opportunity knocked and “Andy and Norm thought he was worth the risk”.
“You do have to pay OK money for them, but it’s nothing compared to what you would have to pay when they are in form,” Kate said.
“It’s worked for a lot of them so far. We’ve had the trotters, Tornado (Valley), McLovin – they were sort of in the same boat. It was a risk that Norm was prepared to take and it looks like it’s really going to pay dividends for him.”
Vintage Cheddar was fifth in his last start in New Zealand on January 12 at the end of a nine-race Kiwi campaign that delivered only one placing, a third on October 10.
Only five weeks separated his last New Zealand start and his Victorian debut at Terang on February 19, but he quickly impressed for his new stable, winning by a half-head.
He then backed up with a seven-metre win at Ballarat on February 25 and then tonight’s victory from gate 11 in his Melton debut, which was all the more impressive for having been registered despite not all going to plan.
With a tick over a lap to go Kate advanced Vintage Cheddar from near the back of the field to make a play for the breeze, but that was thwarted when Glenn Douglas popped out on Major Roll to lead the three-wide line.
Breeze horse Western Sonador, sitting outside leader Jilliby Sylvester, kicked up to hold Major Roll on his outside and that left Vintage Cheddar three-wide with cover for the last lap.
The moves quickened the pace with 28.23 and 27.84 second and third quarters and come the last turn Vintage Cheddar was four wide and with brilliant finisher Bulletproof Boy breathing down his neck.
It was the first of a double for Kate and Andy Gath with Vacation Hill following up to win the Catanach’s Jewellers Trotters Free For All.
