Tom Hughes is no stranger to the rocky road of racing that so many have travelled with sheer perseverance, plus the continued support of his staunch owner, Alan Whittenbury, he was on cloud nine at Flemington Saturday after the win of Black Vanquish.

It was smiles all around, almost a family affair with Whittenbuty who raced several horses, over many years, trained by Tom Hughes senior.

There was strong overnight support for Black Vanquish that saw him start a pronounced favourite, in preference to My Poppette, a previous winner.

The winner was bred by his owner, who retains a couple of mares, preferring to race the progeny rather than sell them.

Black Vanquish wins in a breeze

Black Vanquish’s only previous start was unplaced in the Blue Diamond Prelude, a race in which his dam, Ponton Flyer, won in 2000, and finished second in the Blue Diamond, going on then to win the Group 2 Kewney Stakes as a three year old.

The stable has just a small team of about half a dozen in work at present, there are advantages to a small team, all the horses receive the personal supervision of the trainer.

Black Vanquish has had a freshen up since his only previous run, he stripped a fit horse and never looked like being beaten in the run.

Needless to say Tom Hughes has got a wrap on the jet black colt, describing him as a lovely horse with a definite future.

The best of mates, Alan and Tom