Success lives here

At Ellerslie in New Zealand, The Oaks Stud's dual Japanese Gr2-winning & Gr1-placed stallion Roc De Cambes (Red Ransom-Fairy Lights, by Fairy King) celebrated a Gr1 triumph when 3YO gelding Vin De Dance (Roc De Cambes-Explosive Dancer, by San Luis) scored by 0.1-length for trainers Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman in the NZ$1 million New Zealand Derby (2400m) for 3YOs, defeating the gelding Mongolianconqueror & the filly Danzdanzdance. Tipped in this column last Friday as having a huge chance to take the Derby, the OTI-Racing part-owned Vin de Dance charged home in a ding-dong battle with Mongolianconqueror, getting his head down when it mattered most.  "I rarely get emotional, but I've waited a long time to win this," OTI principal Terry Henderson," enthused to NZ Racing Desk. "I've come close a few times and I owe an enormous debt to this race and New Zealand-bred horses, it's really special.  "He'll go to Sydney (for the Autumn Carnival) as long as he pulls up well," revealed Henderson. Placed in the Gr2 Avondale Guineas at his most recent appearance, Vin de Dance now has the record of 2 wins & 4 placings from 9 starts for $594,960 earnings. He was a $70,000 2YO consigned by Ohukia Lodge at the 2016 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka.