Emerging talent Our Vincent Can Gogh illustrated bigger things are in store after a dominant victory in the Moama Bowling Club Echuca Pacing Cup (2560m) on New Year’s Day.
Reinsman Jack Laugher enjoyed a smooth passage as the newly-turned four-year-old took out the $30,000 feature by a comfortable 5.4m margin from Jaxon Beach.
Our Vincent Van Gogh ($4.40) belied the late drift in the market as the lion’s share of punters plumped for Ultimate Vinnie, backed into $3.40 favouritism after as much as $9 was bet early.
Once the son of Vincent had rolled to the front midway through the first lap, he travelled sweetly for Laugher.
Our Vincent Van Gogh produced a lead time of 68.8 seconds followed by quarters of 31.4, 30.2, 28.7 and 27.7 (a mile rate of 1:57.4).
That mile rate ranks well against past winners of the race, including Malcolms Rhythm (1.57.0 — 2021), Stormfortheboys (1.57.1 — 2017) and Pas Guarantee (1.57.8 — 2023).
Trained by Julie Douglas at Strathfieldsaye, Our Vincent Can Gogh campaigned with the state’s best as a three-year-old, qualifying for a Victoria Derby Final.
Stable representative Michelle Godden said it was an impressive performance from the New Zealand-bred pacer, who now has won 10 of his 31 starts and lifted his career prize money beyond the $100,000 barrier.
“It was a nice win,” Godden said.
“He’s been going well and Jack produced a terrific drive tonight.
“Julie and Glenn Douglas will be rapt to win this race; they’ve been proud supporters of the Echuca Harness Racing Club for many, many years.
“The owners Eric and Heather (Anderson) will be very grateful to have won the race and I’d also like to thank the Moama Bowling Club for their sponsorship of the cup.”
There were certainly no hard luck stories for those behind the winner.
Jaxon Beach (Chris Alford) did a good job to hang onto second after being stamped urgent early to lead before being crossed by Our Vincent Can Gogh.
Ultimate Vinnie finished third, a further 2.5m adrift, and never seriously loomed as a winning threat.
All Da Rage added some value to the top four.
Magnetic Terror was soft in betting pre-race and failed to fire for the Andy Gath team, finishing seventh, beaten more than 16m.
Kate Gath did not make the trip to the border to drive Magnetic Terror, with Jordan Leedham in the sulky.
It was the first time the Pacing Cup and the Trotters Cup were run on the New Year’s Day meeting.
Echuca Harness Racing Club president Shane Gloury was pleased with the crowd, who enjoyed the on and off-track action, which included a live band, array of food trucks, jumping castle and water slide.
“The turnout was good, we’re probably 10 per cent up in the crowd year on year, so it’s been a great night,” he said.