Favourite backers got away to a poor beginning when hot favourite, Callahan, was well beaten in the opening race, the Eugene Gorman Handicap at Flemington yesterday.

From the opening of betting he was the only one punters wanted, opening up an overnight favourite at $2.70, he finally started at $2.20.

Trainer, Mark Kavanagh, was in no mood to be interviewed after the race, he walked away disgusted after the performance.

He had good reason, the colt came from behind when he won at Seymour three weeks ago, yesterday he jumped to the lead and tried to do it all the way, he was the sitting duck when the straight was entered.

The ultimate winner, Vuelta, was never far away having an easy run behind the favourite; Michael Walker only had to press the button to get a quick response.

It was a normal field of two year olds, nothing to get excited about; they will have gone missing when spring comes around.

The winner, Vuelta, a gray colt, has an interesting parentage; he is by High Chaparral, the best colt of his year in the U K, from Affirmed Lane by Affirmed, the last horse to win the elusive American Triple Crown, he was ridden by the boy wonder, Steve Cauthen.

Vuelta winning first up