Not so long ago, trainer Craig Conron harboured doubts about ever returning to Flemington as a conditioner, but on Saturday, he was back in the winner’s enclosure.
The Geelong-based horseman achieved a triumphant comeback as Vegas Jack extended its winning streak in the $150,000 Country Racing It’s Got It All Trophy (2540m).
This marked Conron’s first success at Flemington since Distant Melody secured his last Black Type win during the 2007 Melbourne Cup Carnival. The 62-year-old expressed his delight at being back.
“It’s great to be back here and it’s great to be having a winner here,” he said. “I get a kick anytime they win, but when it’s a Saturday at Flemington it’s a much bigger kick.”
Ridden by Dean Yendall, Vegas Jack ($9.50) triumphed by 1-1/4 lengths, ahead of The Western Front ($5.50), with Bold Soul ($7) finishing a half-length further back in third.
Conron has had limited opportunities at Flemington in recent seasons, having stepped away from training for six years, with brief stints in Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
During his hiatus, he assisted his daughter in managing her mobile coffee van business.
Vegas Jack, a gelding purchased by Conron for a mere $13,000 online in January last year, had previously been unplaced in two starts for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.
The So You Think gelding debuted with a win for Conron and has since added five more victories, achieving four consecutive wins leading up to this race.
This Flemington triumph followed a benchmark 66 win at the Swan Hill carnival, and Conron’s excitement for the four-year-old’s future is palpable.
“I still think he’s six or 12 months off doing what he’s going to do, so what we’re getting now, I know it sounds silly, is a bonus,” Conron said.
Conron was not the sole trainer to end a prolonged Flemington drought on Saturday; Alex Rae also recorded his second winner at the track.
The emerging Cranbourne trainer presented Imperatriz’s half-brother, I’mateez, to claim the $150,000 Rod Johnson 3YO Handicap (1100m).
This was Rae’s first Flemington victory since his memorable debut on Oaks Day in 2018 when Cochada won the Country Final.
“I trained my first winner here with my first runner in 2018 and it’s been eight years between drinks,” Rae stated. “Everywhere else been pretty fruitful, so this is a great result.”
I’mateez, a Capitalist gelding starting at $9, secured victory by 1-3/4 lengths over La Astro Chat ($16), with Prestar ($4.20) a neck behind in third.
For those keen on the next big race, exploring the Australian betting sites can offer competitive racing odds.