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Racing

Blinkers go on Vestas

Clinton McDonald is looking to a set of blinkers turning around the fortunes of Vestas at Caulfield. 

VESTAS winning the AFC - Peter & Lavella Darose Maiden Plate at Cranbourne in Australia.
VESTAS winning the AFC - Peter & Lavella Darose Maiden Plate at Cranbourne in Australia. Picture: Racing Photos

After watching lightly raced mare Vestas work at Caulfield, trainer Clinton Mcdonald jokingly exclaimed can we arrange a wide draw for the mare. 

Unfortunately for McDonald, Vestas has barrier two in the in the Listed Doveton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday, but the trainer is hoping the addition of blinkers will change the fortunes of the mare. 

McDonald took Vestas to Caulfield on Tuesday to work in blinkers in a bid to sharpen the filly who disappointed McDonald in her most recent appearance over 1200m at Caulfield on November 15. 

"The other day I didn't think she tried one yard," McDonald said about his decision to apply the blinkers to Vestas' race day gear. 

"She was disappointing and we've got to try something different with her. 

"She's a temperamental mare, and a bit like Cinderella, she needs everything perfect and being a racehorse, you don't always get that. 

"She's got to build our trust back, but her work on Tuesday morning was solid, and the proof will be in the pudding on race day." 

McDonald believes Vestas has the ability to one day be successful at Stakes level, despite having just one win and two placings from her eight career starts. 

Vestas scored on debut in maiden grade at Cranbourne before rising straight to Stakes company when finishing second in the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes at Flemington during the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival. 

Because of that placing, Vestas has been a frustrating galloper for McDonald and connections. 

"She's going to lose a lot more than she wins because of her racing pattern and that's because of the way you've got to ride her," McDonald said. 

"She doesn't like being inside horses. She's not a stable favourite at the moment, I can assure you, but all we can do is try new things. 

"We can't fault her condition, her action is good and she's eating well. 

"She's a very good mare on her day. She's got a great turn of foot and she's a Black Type mare. 

"We've got to remember too that she's very lightly raced. 

"She's a four-year-old mare that's had eight starts, she's still got to learn how to race and maybe it's now time to put the blinkers and see if that makes a difference for her." 


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