Vain Queen was included in the 2015 William Reid Stakes field that was released this morning and trainer John Sadler is confident that the classy mare is good enough to win the Group 1 event at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Vain Queen has the chance to record a maiden win at Group 1 level in the 2015 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett
Vain Queen made her debut at the highest level of racing in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 28 and she was blocked for a run at the top of the straight before she hit the line strongly when she found clear running to finish fourth behind Shamal Wind.
Sadler told Racing Ahead this morning that Vain Queen has trained on strongly coming out of the Oakleigh Plate and he believes that there are a number of aspects that suggest she can win the 2015 William Reid Stakes – if she gets some luck in running.
“It is her second attempt at a Group 1 and she ran really well under the handicap conditions of the Oakleigh Plate,” Sadler said.
“She was a little bit unlucky, I don’t think she should have won but I do feel that she should have finished a little bit closer because she was just held up at the important part of the race.
“I feel that she can win at Group 1 and I believe that she is good enough.
“Her work at the Valley on Monday morning was very good and that was her last hit out.
“I think that she gets around the Valley really well, she has had two gallops there and both times she has galloped there it has been good and she has one start there for a win.
“She is going to need to have quite a bit of luck.”
Vain Queen has had a number of different jockeys throughout her racing career to date and she has been ridden by eighth different jockeys in her last nine starts.
Damien Lane took the ride on Vain Queen in the Oakleigh Plate, but the promising hoop has left Melbourne to take up a three month riding contract in Hong Kong and Sadler revealed that Nick Hall had been booked to ride his star mare.
“Damien Lane would have had the mount if he hadn’t have gone to Hong Kong, so Nick Hall is going to ride her,” Sadler said.
“He is a bit like his Dad – he is certainly a big occasion rider – and I don’t think she will lose anything in having Nick Hall on board.”
Vain Queen is currently available at 2015 William Reid Stakes odds of $6 with Ladbrokes, while Angelic Light ($5) is a narrow favourite from Rebel Dane ($6).
