Plate perfect for Vietnam
Tuesday, 15 August 2006: The four-year-old will kick off her spring campaign in the $50,000 Monastery Nightclub Class 6 Plate (1400m) on her home track.
Under the conditions of the race the mare, a last start Group 1 placegetter, has just 51.5kg while after the claim for apprentice Rachel Mason will carry just 50kg.
Vietnam, part-owned by star Rugby League player Darren Lockyer, won three of her seven races last campaign but stood up to the best of her age when a fast-finishing fourth in the Gold Coast Bracelet, a solid eight in the Doomben Roses before charging home down the middle of the track in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks to finish runner-up behind Allow.
“I though it was going to be impossible to place her here but they have just introduced these Class 6 Plates,” Birchley said.
“As a winner of just three races she gets in very well and it’s the perfect stepping stone for her new campaign.”
Vietnam is a first-up winner over 1300m last campaign, albeit in maiden grade, and the trainer expects the mare to run well fresh tomorrow.
“She’s done really well and although hasn’t had a trial has done plenty of work,” Birchley said.
“They don’t get a long break after the winter carnival so will come to hand a lot quicker this campaign. With that weight I expected her to run really well fresh.”
Despite running an eye-catching second in the fillies’ classic last start Birchley is taking a soft approach coming into the spring.
“She’ll have a few runs here before heading south, but if she’s got to be highly competitive or there’s no point,” Birchley said.
“She’s a nice staying mare but has to go to the next level to be competitive in Melbourne during the spring.
“We’ve nominated her for the Cups like you have to do really early but if she doesn’t make it that far there are plenty of other races over ground around for her.”
In the same race tomorrow Birchley also expects Sir Success, who finished last at Eagle Farm at his last start, to do much better.
The gelding led and faced a lot of pressure before dropping out in the straight but from a good gate tomorrow will be able to take a sit and finish off far better.
Meanwhile, stablemate Devil Inside kicks off her spring campaign on the Gold Coast over 900m on Saturday week before heading to a $100,000 fillies and mares quality race at Eagle Farm on September 9.
“After the race at Eagle Farm she’ll probably head to Sydney where there are a host of races for her,” Birchley said.
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