Last Saturday March 12 saw Flemington’s Super Saturday of Racing take place and one of the day’s feature events was the $300,000 Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) where trainer Danny O’Brien scored the winning Quinella with Running Tall and Decircles finishing one-two in the juveniles’ feature.
Up-and-coming Stratum colt Running Tall was coming off a seventh place finish to Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Sepoy in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m).
Showing great improvement in the VRC Sires’ Produce, Running Tall gave Danny O’Brien successive wins in the race after he scored with subsequent Australian Guineas winner Shamrocker 12 months earlier.
Race favourite Helmet was a late scratching from the VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes in the barriers based on veterinary advice.
After settling well in second behind early leader Isopach, Running Tall pulled ahead and on the straight to win racing away.
On the line it was Running Tall ($11) two lengths clear of stablemate Decircles ($81) while Grand Britannia ($8.50) was a further length away for third.
Blue Diamond Stakes third placegetter Masthead ($3.80) was a fast finishing fourth just a nose out of the placings.
To view a comprehensive 2011 VRC Sire’s Produce Stakes Race Review & Result follow the link.
The successful VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes result saw Running Tall bring his career record to one win from four starts for close to $240,000 in prize money.
O’Brien may continue Running Tall’s autumn campaign with a run in the 2011 Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill on April 2 where the two-year-old will likely be fighting to finish second behind Sepoy.
Running Tall is currently paying $51 in the Golden Slipper odds at Luxbet.
To bet on Running Tall at the best price for the Golden Slipper or get behind raging favourite Sepoy for the $3.5 million showdown, visit Luxbet today.
2011 VRC Sires Produce Stakes Result
| Place | # | Horse (Br.) | Rider | Trainer | Weight | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | RUNNING TALL(4) | Ben Melham | Danny O’Brien | 55.5 | 1-24.24 |
| 2nd | 10 | DECIRCLES(3) | Dwayne Dunn | Danny O’Brien | 55.5 | 2.0L |
| 3rd | 4 | GRAND BRITANNIA(9) | Damien Oliver | Robbie Laing | 55.5 | 3.0L |
| 4th | 1 | MASTHEAD(7) | Craig Williams | Lee Freedman | 55.5 | 3.1L |
| 5th | 7 | CASH FOR MATT(2) | Danny Nikolic | Rick Hore-Lacy | 55.5 | 4.1L |
| 6th | 9 | MINUTE BY MINUTE(5) | Steven Arnold | David Hayes | 55.5 | 4.2L |
| 7th | 11 | ISOPACH(6) | Craig Newitt | John P Thompson | 55.5 | 4.4L |
| 8th | 2 | DELAGO’S LAD(8) | Chris Symons | John McArdle | 55.5 | 4.5L |
| Src | 3 | HELMET | Mark Zahra | Peter Snowden | ||
| Src | 5 | ROCKSHAFT | Jason Maskiell | Robert Smerdon | ||
| Src | 8 | COVERED IN CLASS | Luke Nolen | Peter G Moody |
