Vin Rose unfazed by pink rug in Flying Amy Classic

By Josh Spasaro

Vin Rose has no shortage of natural pace and strength.

“She was always the best one to break in out of the litter, and she had good early box speed and looked like she’d be naturally strong,” Grafton trainer Neil Falls said.

“She’s bred to stay.”

But what has impressed the New South Wales conditioner the most is the way she thrives under pressure.

Falls, also a dairy farmer, knew she was the real deal after winning her Flying Amy Classic heat by five-and-a-half lengths ahead of Thursday night’s Group 1 final.

Up against Tony Zammit’s classy Young Gunners Final winner Neame, Vin Rose beat him to the first turn.

Neame never gave up in a fascinating tussle with the black bitch who only turns two on July 3.

But it was the Bernardo-Barsandi juvenile who finally created some separation at the turn for home, before opening up a big gap on the front straight in the 520-metre feature.

She ended up crossing the line in 29.78 seconds in what was just the second victory of her five-start career.

Falls’ exciting six-dog litter also includes Vermentino (three wins from eight starts) and Zippy Tippy (two wins from nine starts).

Already, he believes standout Vin Rose has the maturity to handle Thursday night’s assignment worth $225,000.

“That (heat win over Neame) was sort of a surprise. We thought he might’ve led and we were hoping to stay in touch with him,” he said.

“She took him on at the back straight, and normally those young dogs cave in to that kind of pressure.

“So it was good to see her match it with a dog of that talent.”

Falls said Vin Rose would also not be fazed starting from box eight in a high-quality final for greyhounds under 30 months.

“The eight won’t worry her – it’ll just be about getting across by the first corner,” he said.

“She’ll go straight. She’s had the eight a couple of times and done the right thing from there.

“I’m just hoping it unfolds the way I’d like it to, and then we’ll see what happens.”

Queensland Derby winner Winsome Jet will jump from box one, with litter brother Winsome Rambo drawing the four.

Jason Thompson will have New Sensation victor Consigliere and Sapphire Crown winner Secret Bandit exiting the respective two and three lanes.

“Those dogs are always hard to beat and they’ve drawn well. They’re all there together,” Falls said. 

“Whoever leads is probably going to be the one to beat because they’re all very strong and can run the time.”