Vessem Super In Group Two Triumph

Group One performer Vessem (NZ) (Vincent) scored his third Group Two scalp at Addington Raceway last Friday night when taking out the Superstars Championship (2600m).

Drawing one on the second line, Vessem was fortunate to follow Beach Ball (NZ) (Somebeachsomewhere) off the mobile arm, with the Kevin Chapman-trained entire launched off the gate by driver Robbie Close to maintain his advantage and give Vessem the trail.

The Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained Vessem enjoyed an economical trip in the the trail throughout, and driver Olivia Thornley was able to utilise the passing lane down the homestraight where her charge was able to show a good turn of foot to scoot away to a two-length triumph over Wag Star (NZ) (Sweet Lou).

It was Thornley’s first drive behind Vessem and she was rapt to get the victory for the stable that helped launch her career.

“He deserved to get this win,” she said. “He has been doing the tradesman way most weeks, parked and having to do it tough, and to get the trail it showed how speedy he is just as well as how tough he is.”

Bred by Hazel Van Opzeeland, who raced Group One winner and subsequent stallion Highview Tommy (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), Vessem hails from the family of dual New Zealand Harness Horse of the Year and multiple Group One winner Elsu (NZ) (Falcon Seelster).

He was offered through Rosedale Farm’s 2022 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale draft in Christchurch where he was purchased by All Stars Racing Stables for $30,000.

Van Opzeeland elected to retain a share in the gelding and was rewarded with early success, with the son of Vincent winning five of his nine starts as a juvenile, including the Group Two Kindergarten Stakes (1609m) and Group Two Diamond Creek Farm 2YO Classic (2200m) at his second and third starts.

As a three-year-old he added a further two victories to his record and was runner-up in the Group One New Zealand Pacing Derby (2600m) last December, before returning in a similar vein of form as a four-year-old, finishing outside of the money in just one of his eight starts to date this season.

With Friday’s victory, Vessem has now won 10 and placed in seven of his 30 career starts, and earned nearly $260,000 in prizemoney.