EDGED OUT ON CUP DAY ... but Heyblok's Matriarch bolts in at the Final

Breeder and wine lover Robert Heyblok recognises that many good things improve with age, and the aptly named Vintedge is certainly testimony to this philosophy.

It has been one of those wonderful journeys you share with a client … the kind that evolves into friendship. Robert Heyblok – a gentle giant with witty one liners has been associated with Yallambee Stud for many years now.

Robert’s mare, Alternative Edge, has proven to be a very astute $30,000 purchase from the 2003 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale, carrying a pregnancy by Favourite Trick. Straight away we all recognised the mare throws a type, demonstrated profoundly by the $90,000 return from this pregnancy. The following sales year, her Testa Rossa colt realised a sale price of $180,000. Meanwhile, Youths Edge was making his presence felt on the racetrack, improving the pedigree.

So, it was time to retain a horse for racing purposes and the clever mating to Flying Spur produced a magnificent filly, thus satisfying the desire to breed AND race.

The affable Robert soon rallied a bunch of mates and their wives to join him in the racing of Vintedge: and they have had plenty of fun along the way. However, the ‘fun’ reached a new pinnacle with Chris Waller’s courageous decision to ‘dual enter’ the mare during Melbourne’s testing Cup Carnival: firstly in the Cup Day race – Mare’s Handicap over 1700m – before backing up on the final day in the Group Two Matriarch Stakes.
Scrambling for flights from Sydney to Melbourne, the owners were certainly left with hearts pounding with a very close finish in the $101,500 first test, which saw the gutsy Vintedge the winner either side of the post, but alas a lip behind at the line.

Last Saturday, however, was the highlight: grabbing a hire car straight from the airport, the mates – affectionately known as JK (John Kelly), PK (Peter Kelly), Brendan Field (BF just doesn’t roll off tongue in quite the same way!) and Robert (unfortunately minus Martin (Horice) Monks) headed straight to Yallambee Stud … 20 minutes later they were admiring the yearling full brother to Vintedge.

In the paddock, overlooking Melbourne on a lovely sunny day, it was an impressive sight to see them all in suit pants and snazzy shirts, knee deep in grass (although in Rob’s case it may well have been ankle deep!).

They also had a look at the most recent family addition: a super chestnut and full brother which was foaled on 28th October and, naturally they took out time to pat the great matron herself … Alternative Edge (a full sister to Racers Edge) (pictured above at only3 days old).

Understandably, the crew were a little pre occupied – worried about the outside (carpark) barrier Vintedge had drawn and the fact she was backing up so soon.

However, it proved that there was no need to worry, with Chris Waller having trained Vintedge to the minute and ridden superbly by Nash Rawiller. The mare won the race with great style, easing up over the line and leaving her closest contender two lengths behind at the post. A great thrill for all involved … and so beautifully demonstrated by Brendon’s son Curtis with his celebratory dance (captured by Channel 7 for the world to see). A ‘spot’ that will undoubtedly be used as a promotional tool for racing in the years to come. Picture: Receiving the trophy are the crew: Robert, the tall guy whose head is almost out of picture, Brendon," Horice" PK, JK and family members including the now infamous Curtis

Sticking with Chris Waller as trainer (and why wouldn’t you?), the core Vintedge syndicate with a couple of new faces has backed up and retained ownership in subsequent progeny from Alternative Edge, both born and raised here at Yallambee Stud: the well named pair of Homedge (God’s Own) and the smashing looking Couredge (Show A Heart).

The best news is that the yearling colt here in the paddock at Yallambee is entered for sale at the 2012 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale – and what a colt he is … that mare just keeps getting it right!

Finally, a special plea! Whoever the new (lucky) owner is, keep up the trend when you name him … who knows, it might just give you another winning ‘edge’.