Joseph Ible capped a huge week at Thoroughbred Park on Friday, as Champagne Vega claimed the Federal Handicap (1400m) just days after the Canberra trainer became a father for the first time.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Champagne Vega gave Ible his second biggest thrill of the week, after the birth of daugher Ella, with one of the finest wins seen at the track in a long time. The five-year-old had settled at the rear and made a ranging, sustained run under Patrick Scorse from the 800m before finally finding the outside fence.
From there he rattled home finishing more than four lengths clear of odds-on favourite Mandalong Nicko.
Earlier on Matthew Dale revealed part of his Black Opal hand when producing impressive debutant Pretty Woman, who finished 2.5L clear for a strong debut win in the two-year-old race over 1000m ahead of fellow Canberra pair Vaaroom and Super Riff.
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
Dale's Written Tycoon filly exploded clear at the furlong marker for an ultra impressive win, while Keith Dryden's debutant Vaaroom finished strongly out wide to suggest he would also feature in the $250,000 Opal.
Pretty Woman's win completed a race-to-race double for Dale who also comfortably won the Class 1 Handicap (2000m) with Antilles.
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
