The highly established Kennet Valley Syndicates are searching for further riches this weekend as Night In Vegas bids for a third consecutive sales race success.
The Lucky Vega colt has already amassed £429,427 in prize money for his owners. Prior to the Coventry he’d already won just shy of £30,000 with success at Ascot and Goodwood. A further £5,380 was awarded when a length fifth in the Coventry.
£21,500 was recouped when third in the Richmond Stakes, before two mouthwatering prizes in Newmarket and Doncaster sales races.
Eve Johnson Houghton won the Tattersalls October Auction Stakes in 2016 with Accidental Agent, and connections believe this step up to seven furlongs can be rewarded with further glory for Night In Vegas.
Speaking to Racing TV, Kennet Valley Syndicate owner Sam Hoskins said: “He’s in good form and we’re all looking forward to Saturday.
“He’s been such an amazing horse this season and it’s obviously a step up in trip to seven furlongs. Breeding-wise, Lucky Vega stayed a mile, and the dam’s sire Rock Of Gibraltar won the 2000 Guineas at the course. So hopefully the trip shouldn’t pose any issues.
“He hit the line strongly at Doncaster so we’re looking forward to finding out something about him for the future. It could give us an indication what direction we head in next season. It would be lovely to think that he might get a mile next year.”
“We are greedy and we want to win another one” – Sam Hoskins
Hoskins was quick to praise his handler, stating: “Eve’s team have done a great job with him. He’s just such a dude of a horse with a great attitude. His name is Elvis in the yard and they all love him. It’s been a great story, he’s the perfect syndicate horse.”
He acknowledged this is no penalty kick however, particularly with another rematch with Zigazig Ah: “She’s been amazing and we have lots of respect for her. Obviously, some of the variables are slightly different. It’s seven furlongs this time but at the weights, we come out well and we’ve beaten her twice.
“That said, you never know in a horse race and there’s no such thing as a good thing but if he can run to a similar level to Doncaster then it looks like he will be bang there.
“He owes us nothing and obviously we’d love to win on Saturday, but we’ve had two massive days already. It would be lovely to think he could do the third. We are greedy and we want to win another one, but we’ve been very lucky already and we know that.”