All Eyes On Vast
Newcastle Herald
Friday July 7, 2000
IF you did not spot Vast getting to the line last start then pay for your trip to the optometrists with your winnings from her trip at Warwick Farm tomorrow afternoon.
The Paul Perry-trained mare turned in a sensational effort a fortnight ago at Warwick Farm, on the very same track she goes around on tomorrow, when she came from last of 15 on the turn to go under by a whisker.
She was beaten in that race by Whitfield Avenue but she gets the chance to turn the tables on her rivals when the pair again meet in the AJC Convention Centre Handicap (1600m).
Vast gave the impression in the manner she got to the line that the step-up of 200m here would suit her right down to the ground.
In addition she drops half a kilo to 53kg this time around.
`She was coming home better than anything else last start and she was no doubt in front a stride past the post,' trainer Paul Perry said.
`And I don't think that the mile will worry her.'
The race appears likely to be taken out by the swooping brigade as the majority of the main hopes get back.
Apart from Whitfield Avenue, the obvious danger to Vast will be Umarond, which will be out to complete the hat-trick here.
AAP reports: While John Hawkes continues his march towards a Commonwealth record of training winners this weekend, Newcastle trainer Paul Perry has already broken his own previous best seasonal total ? with the promise of more to come.
His profile might not be as high as Hawkes, Peter Hayes, Gai Waterhouse or Lee Freedman, but his consistency ranks him fifth on the Australian trainers' premiership behind the big four with 152 winners so far.
Perry's three runners at Warwick Farm on Saturday ? Plumbing Plus, In Return and Vast ? are all rated as good chances by their trainer.
`We're having a good run at the moment and all three on Saturday are going in with good form,' Perry said.
`And they've all drawn well, too, which is a help.'
Last-start Newcastle winner Plumbing Plus is the 4-1 third pick in early markets for the Maroubra Handicap (1300m), where the two-year-old will come up against city winners Theador (7-4) and Runs On Dreams (2-1).
`He's only had two starts for a second and first but he looks as if he might be alright,' Perry said.
`It was a nice win last time and he races on the pace so barrier two is just right for him.'
In Return fared even better, coming up with gate one in the Colonial Funerals Handicap (1600m) and even though he is at 12-1 in the market, Perry believes he can measure up.
The gelding has run second at his past two starts over 1350m and 1500m at Wyong and Newcastle respectively.
`He's consistent and the extra distance should help him,' Perry said.
`He deserves his chance in town.'
Perry's other runner, Vast, is at 5-1 in the AJC Convention Centre Handicap (1600m) and comes into the race off a luckless half-head second behind Whitfield Avenue over 1400m at Warwick Farm on June 24.
`With a bit of luck she would have won,' Perry said.
`The distance will suit, she gets back and unwinds late and should be right in it.'
Vast will again have to deal with Whitfield Avenue, which is the 9-2 second favourite behind the Guy Walter-trained Umarond at 7-2.
The lightly raced Umarond is chasing a hat-trick following two wins at Warwick Farm, her home track, and will be set for the Newcastle Cup (2400m) on September 16 if she continues to do well.
`She's going really well, I couldn't be happier with her this preparation,' Walter said.
`If she keeps going the way she has, we'll head towards the Newcastle Cup with her.
`I think she'll get even better when she gets up over further.'
For the first time for more than two years, the Australian Jockey Club will put on a seven-race program after being forced to drop the three-year-old fillies race due to lack of acceptances.
© 2000 Newcastle Herald
