At Pakenham on Friday evening, Mystic Vamp was looking to break her maiden after some very promising runs at 1600m during August. Although the stable was confident she would be very competitive, stepping out to 2200m for the first time was the only query. The lack of a suitable race option at 2000m was a concern and connections were left with no option but to roll the dice and trust her preparation would help her see out the extra 600m.

Her recent runs didn't go unnoticed by many, and race caller Terry Bailey even made her his best bet of the night. Her loyal band of Social Syndicate owners at home and on track made sure she was kept safe in the market by bookmakers, eventually starting at $5.50.

She began well from the barriers and held a forward position in running under Jake Noonan and at halfway you couldn't have written a better script. That's when things changed though, when a couple of riders unhappy with the tempo of the 2200m contest got itchy feet and injected some pressure to the race. Jake's patience in trusting his filly and allowing the others to make their early move was probably the winning move as when many of his rivals were out of petrol halfway up the home straight, Mystic Vamp was only getting into top gear and had plenty left in the tank due to a 10/10 ride from Jake.

Mystic Vamp showed a great will to win and confirmed her superior stamina to win going away by 1.25 lengths. The large group of Social Syndicate owners present were heard cheering her home as far away as the village of Nar Nar Goon and no doubt the cheers were just as loud for those who watched on TV.

I'm not sure anyone would have thought when Mystic Vamp arrived at Greendale, she would be breaking her maiden over 2200m and her forte would turn out to be at staying distances. She was an athletic leggy filly but not overly big and the patience of Tony  & connections to allow her to mature has paid dividends. There is no doubt that having a couple of runs during Summer followed by an Autumn break has had a real impact on her maturity both physically and mentally and as a consequence she had the skills and strength to see out the 2200m distance on Friday evening.


Mystic Vamp is another winner for the Tony Noonan Racing Social Syndicates, which brings together groups of friends and colleagues to enjoy the thrill of ownership for a reasonable set fee with all the benefits of regular ownership with no initial outlay. Mystic Vamp was offered to Tony for lease by stable client and breeder John Frankhuisen and one look at her pedigree was enough for Tony to know quality well bred filly's like her don't come around often for lease.

Mystic Vamp's mother She's A Vamp is a daughter of VRC Vanity Stakes Gr.3 winner Musidora thus making her a half sister to multiple stake winner and Golden Slipper place getter Tulip and Sacred Eye winner of the MRC Caulfield Classic Gr.3 and Gr.1 place getter.

Mystic Vamp looks to have lots of potential over staying distances but according to Tony we will have to wait to see her back at the track. The plan is to give her a well earned break now and bring her back over Summer and Autumn when the tracks will be very suitable for her. She will benefit greatly from a rest on the Spring grass now and it will set her up for a succfessful preparation next time around.

Congratulations to all of the wonderful syndicates who have been a great support to Dot so far in her career. A special mention to John Mathison and all the syndicate managers who coordinate their members and make the experience so enjoyable for all.

Looking forward to Summer and more wins for Mystic Vamp.