Racing: Luck swings Vinny's way

Vinny Colgan was in commanding form at Ellerslie yesterday winning four races, but believed he had a little luck swing his way when it mattered.

Colgan won aboard Rowdy Yates, Danz Star, Expectalite and Veil.

"Racing is all about having a little luck swing your way on occasions, whether you are a punter, trainer, owner or jockey and today I had a few things swing in my favour,"said Colgan.

"Danz Star did carry the topweight of 57 kilograms to win his race, but he was helped when two of the horses I was worried about went mad in front and cost themselves any winning chance.

"We were more or less the last man left standing and he really powered into it at the finish of the race and won easing down."

The 4-year-old lengthened stride with ease in the home stretch to win by 3 1/2 lengths from Vamperalla and Karaka Belle (third).

The Tim Carter-trained runner has been a model of consistency, scoring five wins and six minor placings from 15 starts.

Expectalite showed plenty of stamina and fight when it mattered to hold off a determined late bid from Mandana to post a long head victory in the Oxy-Shot Stayers.

A further 1 1/4 lengths away in third position was Tantalic.

"Things really worked out well for Expectalite as he had a nice run just off the speed and appreciated the track conditions today.

"He covered far too much ground in his last-start at Avondale and with a better run he got the win."

Gallant Son ran the race of an improver when settling well off the lead and finishing strongly late for fourth position with the favourite Lazaros right alongside.

I Rock My World returned to winning form with the assistance of a two kilogram apprentice claim from Buddy Lammas in the Viking Ruler 1400 at Ellerslie.

I Rock My World carried 51kg in the 1400 metre open handicap and scored by 1 1/4 lengths over topweight Ben Sparta (58kg) with a further 1 1/2 lengths to Go Thenaki.

The 7-year-old is a sprint specialist over 1400 metres, at which he has scored all six of his career victories .

Earlier, Poacher capped a run of consistent performances with a well-deserved victory in the hands of Missy Browne in the open hurdle.

He trailed the pace-setting Just Jeff and both runners waged a stride-for-stride battle the length of the home stretch.

Poacher scored by a long neck over Just Jeff, with a further long neck back to Judderbar (third).

The Ken and Ann Browne-trained 8-year-old has been in solid form, scoring three seconds and a fourth placing from his past four starts.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY