25 May 2021 | Ashleigh Paikos
Thats So Fetch topped off an already fantastic weekend for the Vlemmix family, when the four-year-old broke through for his maiden victory at just his fifth race start.
Bred, owned and trained by Will Vlemmix and his family, the son of WA stallion Renaissance Man, led all the way from barrier one in race three at Kellerberrin to win by 2.8 metres in 2:05:6.
Hayden Charles made the long trip to the Central Wheatbelt for the one drive, confident that the gelding could get the win.
“They (Vlemmix’s) kept persisting with him. He has been trialling faster and getting better. With the drop in class today it was his race. He’s been going good.” Charles said.
The win came two years after Thats So Fetch originally started trialling for the family, but after a lengthy spell, he qualified at Byford in April 2021 and started his racing career just four weeks ago.
“We had a few issues with him, he was a bit hard to get going, but he has turned the corner and come good.”
“He’s (Thats So Fetch) has come a long way in the last month, we expected him to go pretty well on Sunday.” Michael Vlemmix said.
Michael Vlemmix does expect that the lightly raced gelding should have a couple more wins in him.
The Mean Girl movie buffs also bred the mother, Gretchen Weaner, who was unraced due to issues, however Michael Vlemmix confirmed that the dam could run, but was plagued with her own problems.
“They’re not big, but they can go.” Vlemmix said.
Photo: Owners Only Social Media
Michael Vlemmix was also the winner over the weekend for the Chase the Dream Initiative through Racing and Wagering WA, where their team “Lucky Charm” won a 10% share in a seven-month old Greyhound pup (a daughter of West on Augie and West on Hazel), with all expenses covered for her purchase price, rearing, education, Veterinary and registration costs until she reaches the age of 18 months.
“We had a retired greyhound as a family pet called Lucky (hence the team name) until she passed away. We always talk about getting a greyhound share a family, so this is the perfect opportunity to get in the game.” Vlemmix said.
American Dutchess took out the opener at Kellerberrin on Sunday, taking out the 3YO maiden for Sam Torre and Deni Roberts. The Double-westbred filly led all the way to win in an impressive 2:00:7 over the 2130m.
American Dutchess is a full sister to RoyalHotshot who recently won three in a row in NSW, since being sold to the Eastern states in late March.
Smooth Rye continued her winning form for Corey Peterson, making it four wins in a row, three for Peterson since entering his stable only weeks ago.
Patrikiar went one better this week for the new stable, bringing up her first win for C. Hynem since joining his team just two weeks ago. Driven by Shannon Suvaljko, the $1.70 favourite led all the way in the fourth.
Favourite punters were once again rewarded with Simply Shaz NZ making it two in a row at the Central Wheatbelt for trainer Peter Anderson and reinsman Aldo Cortopassi. After leading all the way, rivals couldn’t get close, with the $1.50 favourite scooting away for a 12.9m win in race five.
Peter Anderson made it a race to race double when Star Of The Class continued her winning Kellerberrin form with Donald Harper in the sulky.
Deni Roberts walked away with a driving double on the card, with the Mufasa NZ proving too good for his rivals in the standing start. After galloping out, the Greg and Skye Bond trained import settled mid field throughout, pulling out three wide with around 600m to go, to win by 10.4m.
Adda Paris got the job done for local Brett Postans and Emily Suvaljko, winning narrowly in the eighth.
Alcopony rounded out the meeting with the $1.60 favourite saluting for trainer Kevin Keys and driver Mark Reed. The two-year-old won effortlessly by a margin of 23.5m, giving the youngster his first win at just his fourth start.
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