Vessem (Vincent) took full advantage of having a perfect trip on the back of a horse that was intent on leading in tonight’s $60,000 Group Two Continental Event Hire Superstar Championship at Addington, and he was rewarded with a well deserved win.

From barrier one in the pacing feature, Beach Ball with Robbie Close on board took the role of pacemaker with no intention of handing up, while Olivia Thornley slotted in behind with Vessem. And that was the race.

Vessem who’s trained by Mark and Nathan Purdon, went down to the line to win by two lengths from a late charging Wag Star while favourite Pinseeker filled third place three quarters of a length away.

On a slushy track the winning time for the 2600 metres was a sensational 3-06.7 – a mile rate of 1-55.5.

“He deserved to get this win. He’s been doing it the tradesman way most weeks, parked and doing it tough. It showed tonight how speedy he is and just how tough he is,” Thornley told Trackside viewers.

Vessem who is named after a town in the Netherlands, is owned by Hazel van Opzeeland, Stu and Pauline Gillan, Peter Baken, John and Jennifer Grainger and the Kirkwood Family Racing Syndicate.

“I started out with them (All Stars) and just to get this win for this group of owners who have supported me from the start, I’m rapt.”

Van Opzeeland bred the gelding who’s out of Imke B which she raced out of the All Stars barn to win once from just three starts.

The win tonight was Vessem’s tenth and is his third feature race win.

VESSEM REPLAY

He won the Group Two Kindergarten Stakes and the Group Two Diamond Creek Farm Two Year Old Classic as a two year old.

The win in this Superstar Championship is the eighth for Mark Purdon – dating back to Stevie’s win in 1999. It’s the second win for van Opzeeland who part owned Highview Tommy, the 2009 winner which was also trained by Purdon.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink