Eight-year-old entire My Vegas staved off retirement for at least another start with a last-to-first victory at Rosehill on Saturday.
My Vegas is a son of high-profile stallion Royal Academy who died at Coolmore Australia earlier this week at the age of 25 as a result of the effects of old age.
Trainer John McNair said Saturday’s Tigers Five Dock Handicap (1100m) was intended to be the final start for My Vegas ($15) but the half-head victory over Potions ($4.40) put a halt to those plans for now.
Favourite La Remlap ($3) was another head away third.
McNair had three runners in the race with Mighty Obvious ($11) and Shamus ($5.50) just missing the placings in fourth and fifth respectively.
“He’s got a lot of ability. If he didn’t have problems he would have been a multiple Group One winner this horse,” McNair said of the winner.
“He’s been retired a couple of times, he’s even served mares, and this was going to be his last start.
“With him being a son of Royal Academy I think it was a fitting result today.”
My Vegas settled at the tail of the field and came with a big run down the outside with apprentice Andrew Stead in the saddle.
McNair said he thought he was even going to fill the top three placings at one stage in the straight.
“For a while there I thought I was going to trifecta it,” McNair said.
“I’ve had a quinella before but I don’t think I’ve ever had three runners in the same race in town before.”