In his first race since finishing second to Makybe Diva in last years Melbourne Cup, Vinnie Roe was always travelling smoothly as his stable companion Mutakarrim set the pace in the 14-furlong listed contest.
Pat Smullen on Vinnie Roe moved up to challenge the leader at the quarter mile pole, and quickened at a good pace to win by a length and a half from Mutakarrim and third placed Mkuzi.
Hard surface conditions had perturbed the Roe camp, but after a walk of the course, the fortuitous decision to let him run was made. Weld cited he was keen to get Roe out for the track time in preparation for the Gold Cup at Ascot.
Roe was beaten at the Gold Cup as a four-year old, after a brilliant ride by Johnny Murtagh on Royal Rebel, and Weld expressed his desire to ‘have another crack at it’.
Weld added: “It’s his last year racing, He’s been a wonderful horse to train and he deserves to win a Gold Cup”.
The Royal Ascot at York begins it’s annual carnival, including the Gold Cup event, on the 14 June.
The winning combination of Weld and Smullen have completed their treble of 25-1 wins with Hidden Charm (5-1) in the Irish Stallions Farms European Breeders Fund Median Auction Maiden, and Sapphire Stone (6-4 joint favourite) in the Irish Stallions Farms European Breeders Fund Median Maiden.