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

Chris Waller had another successful day out yesterday, which is becoming quite regular for him, a double at Rosehill Gardens and the success of Sacred Flyer at Flemington.

Punters rallied for Sacred Flyer on the strength on his good run at Sandown Park behind St Jean, who could be a definite spring prospect on what we have seen.

This was the second start for Sacred Flyer on a left handed track, he has certainly got the hang of the reverse way of going.

Waller’s stable manger, Justine Hailes was impressed with the ride of Chris Symons, horse and rider combined well together, the gelding travelled well throughout the race.

He is not a likely spring campaigner, he stays well and can handle the going, there will be plenty of suitable races over winter with the advantage of the soft going, and he has struck a purple patch of form.

His next assignment is likely to be the fifth heat of the Banjo Paterson series, over the same distance of 2500 metres, at Flemington on Saturday week.

Sacred Flyer is by the English Derby winner, High Chaparral, who was standing in New Zealand, once So You Think won his first Cox Plate, Coolmore soon brought him back to be relocated at Jerry’s Plains, in the Hunter Valley

Sacred Flyer, in the center, winning the Banjo Paterson's series.

Vain Queen was back to her brilliant best at Moonee Valley on Saturday in winning the 1200 metres of the Dominant Handicap.

She didn’t get any favours from the wide draw; she had to travel wide for most of the trip yet was always looking like a winner in running.

Aided by the claim of 3 kgs for Kayla Nisbet, who is proving a very competent rider, the filly came in well at the weights

She had previously remained unbeaten after four starts earlier in the year; she went off the boil slightly but is back on track as was shown on Saturday.

While Vain Queen is back on track so is her trainer John Sadler, it didn’t take him long to get back into harness after moving his stable operation, a week ago, from Flemington to Caulfield, a winner at Geelong on Tuesday and the filly at the Valley, he is not complaining.

Sadler was not surprised by the return of the filly, she has always shown a lot of talent and that was on show in the Dominant Handicap.

“It was great to lead in a winner in the old Aquanita colours after such a long time, they have been good to me in the past,” he said.

Vain Queen back in form 

Star mare, Commanding Jewel, is not ready for the big time yet, according to Michael Walker who rode her in a gallop at Moonee Valley yesterday.

Working with stable mate, Word Of Mouth, ridden by Joseph Azzopardi, the pair galloped a lap quickening up over the final 600metres.

The mare looked a picture, a credit to her trainer, Leon Corstens, who has some worries with her as three preparations have had to be aborted due to some type of injury, the latest, a hoof problem that has curtailed so much of her racing life.

There is no date pencilled in for her return to racing, the jury is out at present, the intention was to go to Brisbane for the Tatts Tiara Stakes over 1400 at Eagle Farm, she may not be quite ready for 1400 metres at this stage.

Michael Walker said, “She felt strong and gave me a great feel but she did blow quite a bit in the straight.”

Commanding Jewel winning the Thousand Guineas

Linda Meech doesn’t mind travelling, Randwick yesterday, riding a winner for David Vandyke, and off to Swan Hill today, and possibly Mornington tomorrow.

A quietly spoken young lady she is a true professional, trainers speak of her highly, she places horses well in a field and gives them every chance in a race.

You never hear Peter Moody complaining about her, she has a great strike rate.

Pressing fails again

Pressing was no match for his opposition at Eagle Farm in the Tatts Group J J Atkins Stakes, finishing out of a place.

Whether he had gone off the boil, or not comfortable racing in the reverse direction, is not known as no excuses have been offered for his two defeats in Brisbane.

He is not the same horse that won twice at Caulfield before going north, he will no doubt go for a spell.