Apulia (+320) was well beaten in the Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) last weekend, but Ben, Will & JD Hayes chose to back up their Fiorente colt and take on the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase, and it has paid dividends with Mark Zahra producing another great ride at Moonee Valley.
After getting the run over 2000m under his belt last Saturday, it was clear that he had taken a lot of benefit from the Caulfield run and proved to be the class stayer in the race.
The race favourite Verdad (+140) set up a solid tempo and with 600m to go, the favourite was the only runner still on the bridle; however, Zahra had taken a few lengths off the winner in quick time, and they entered the straight on level terms.
The two battled well, but in the final 100m, the winner was too strong, and he ran away to win by just over a length at the end of the 2040m contest, with Air Assualt (+380) staying on to finish in third place behind the top two.
2023 Moonee Valley Vase Replay – Apulia | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Mark Zahra
Representing the winning stable, Will Hayes spoke post-race after the win.
“He really appreciated the quick back-up,” Hayes said.
“He was on the back of a slow pace and he was doing a few things wrong.
“He's a big strong colt and he was really tough today.
“A ten-out-of-ten ride from Mark Zahra.
“We'll see how he is. He's a big, strong colt and I dare say he'll back up again.”
Mark Zahra brought up a riding treble on Apulia, with the big ride on Gold Trip to come in the Cox Plate.
“It was a good run last start,” Zahra said.
“In a smallish field, better barrier. I was able to lob in the right spot.
“That was his third run in three weeks and he picked up quick when I needed him to.
“I needed him to get around the other horse and he got around them quick and was able to join them on the turn.
“I felt I let Zac (Purton on Koning) take me as far as I could.
“All of these horses were up to the 2000 (metres) for the first time. You factor that in as well.
“But I reckon I won it from the 600 to the 300 with his turn-of-foot.”
Apulia is now a +800 chance in the VRC Derby futures market with online bookmakers.