The proof of any good system has to be in the pudding, and the victory of newly turned three-year-old Almontego (Alabama Express) in the second race at Flemington is sterling proof of the VOBIS voucher system in action.
A promising fourth on debut at Flemington in mid July, the Gavin Bedggood-trained Almontego returned to the straight course on Saturday and was improving from sixth as the field entered the last 400 metres. With the line swiftly approaching, he worked his way to the front and held off a fast improving Santa Barbara (Snitzel) to score by a head on the line.
The gelding cost his ownership group just $25,000, but none of that money came from their own pockets, thanks to VOBIS vouchers earned in early 2025.
“A bunch of the owners won a VOBIS Sires’ maiden at Werribee last year and I got them all to put their vouchers into this guy,” Bedggood said. “They pretty much got a free horse.”
Bedggood hasn’t picked out a next assignment for the gelding but given he’s a metropolitan winner at his second start, which has earned him over $94,000 already, there are a wide number of options open to him. What certainly helps with setting those target is having a good attitude.
“He’s just a horse that has never really jumped out of the box and he’s done what he has to do,” Bedggood said. “He’s a real tradesman that has taken good improvement every time he’s had a jumpout.”
Sales: Gavin Bedggood Racing and Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) signed for Almontego at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Blue Gum Farm.
Pedigree: Almontego is the first foal out of Montefino Miss (Nicconi), an unraced daughter of Gr.1 Goodwood Handicap winner Velocitea (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}). Velocitea is a half-sister to Listed Southland Guineas victor Weaponry (NZ) (Declaration Of War {USA}) and Maastricht (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {GB}), the dam of dual Gr.1 winner Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) – whose daughter Just Like Gaby (Pierata) was also a winner on the Flemington card.
Montefino Miss has a Tagaloa yearling filly, who sold for $12,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale this year, and was served by First Settler in the spring.
Written for TTRAusNZ
