3 minute read

Richie’s Vibe has recorded a career best success by narrowly defeating Moment Of Change in the Group 2 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley.

Richie’s Vibe has been under the care of three trainers so far this season however it has not prevented the four-year-old from being a model of consistency.

While a trip to Tasmania for what looked a suitable race was considered, connections instead elected to aim their honest sprinter toward a below average renewal of the Australia Stakes.

The Danerich gelding contested the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) as one of the favourites off a narrow second at Caulfield on Boxing Day.

Odds-on favourite Moment Of Change appeared pitchforked in at the weights however got no favours from the outside barrier as he raced wide during the early stages.

Richie’s Vibe on the other hand settled ninth and one off the fence.

Although Moment Of Change hit the front 100m from home Richie’s Vibe began to accelerate rapidly soon after.

As the favourite was beginning to tire after a tough time in transit, Richie’s Vibe was still full of running and a narrow success ensued.

It Is Written fought on nicely for third while 2013 Australia Stakes winner Sea Lord finished 2.9 lengths away in fifth.

Richie’s Vibe is now a dual stakes winning galloper having also taken out the MSS Security Sprint down the Flemington Straight Six during the spring.

His latest winning display though is clearly a career best effort, assessed at 113.

It comes in three pounds clear of his prior master rating of 110 achieved when narrowly denied the Christmas Stakes behind Karacatis.

A winning figure of 113 sits below the prior five year winning average of the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m).

Any event won twice by Black Caviar [2010 & 2012] is always going to experience a decline in its winning average.

Other winners during this period including Lucky Secret (2009, 120) and Whitefriars (2011, 121) also help bolster the average.

Now a Group 2 winner, Richie’s Vibe may now be given his chance at Group 1 level with connections considering an Oakleigh Plate (1100m) tilt at Caulfield on February 22.

Richie’s Vibe would need to improve once again however and a long way into his current campaign there has to be doubt as to whether this can happen.

The Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington on February 12 is also a possibility although is largely dependant on the weight Richie’s Vibe would receive.