Vessem professional in Diamond Creek Classic

Harness racing pacer Vessem (Vincent) proved he’s top of the list of early season two year old pacers when he showed off his professional skills in winning the $55,000 Group Two Diamond Creek Farm Two Year Old Classic at Ascot Park today.

“He’s got a good attitude, a race brain and he’s got the motor,” driver Blair Orange said of the quality juvenile who has now won all three of his starts.

In today’s race Orange sent the gelding forward early to lead before stablemate Major Hot (Art Major) and Olivia Thornley came round and took up the running. But that move was short lived because Orange pulled Vessem off Major Hot’s back to take up the pace making role again.

“I just wasn’t happy with the tempo when Olivia got there and didn’t want it to be a sprint home. I drove my own race and how I saw it.”

Vessem held on to win by three quarters of a length from Major Hot with two and three quarter lengths back to Southland filly Raklou (Sweet Lou).

VESSEM REPLAY

The winning time was 2-44.0.

“He was the best horse in the race, and he showed that. This guy gives you the feeling he will improve a lot.”

Trained by Mark and Nathan Purdon of the All Stars stable Vessem was bred by Hazel van Opzeeland who races the horses with a number of other owners including Southlanders Stuie and Pauline Gillan.

Today’s win was the fifth time the All Star stable has won the Classic. Their other winners were Lazarus (2015), A Bettor Act (2018), Virgil (2019) and Don’t Stop Dreaming (2022).

Vessem is expected to have his next run in the $45,000 Group Two Avon City Ford Welcome Stakes at Addington on 12 of May.

For complete race results, 

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink