THERE have been some special performances in recent weeks but Aurora Vega’s stunning debut win has punters most excited.
Daughter of the Cheltenham Festival queen Quevega, who won six consecutive Mares’ Hurdles, she hosed up at Sligo in effortless fashion.
It wasn’t the strongest of races, as her 1-5 favourite tag suggests, but she couldn’t have been more impressive with the way she raced.
Despite racing wide, jockey Patrick Mullins always had her handy and when he asked her to win the race, she surged away from her toiling rivals.
The Racing Post comments describe her winning at a “canter” and Mullins was never out of first gear on the exciting mare.
Not only is she Quevega’s daughter, but she’s also a full sister to four-time Grade 1 winner Facile Vega.
Willie Mullins looks to have another potential star on his hands and his son Patrick was couldn’t stop smiling in the post-race interview.
He told Racing TV: “We lost a couple of lengths the first time, which was fine, but the second time I had to slap her on the shoulders.
“Once we got our sight horse in front she was locked on and she won with lots in hand.
“She’s not the flashiest at home but I think she’s better in her work and there’s more in the tank – she’ll keep giving. I don’t know what the plan will be now but it’s fantastic to wear these colours.”
If Aurora Vega can do even half the things that her mother was able to do, then punters will likely never see her at an odds-against price ever again.
As well as those Cheltenham Festival wins, she also scooped up four consecutive Grade 1 races at Punchestown from 2010 to 2014.
One punter described her debut as “electric”, while another said: “She was very green but the turn of pace was so impressive.”
Unsurprisingly, Aurora Vega can already be found in the ante-post market for next year’s Supreme at the Cheltenham Festival.
33-1 is available with Betfair and Paddy Power if you want to get involved.
Trying to work out Mullins’ festival plans is perhaps the hardest thing on earth, but some punters will likely try to get ahead of the game at that sort of price.
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