Equiparada (ARG) has long looked a proper staying type and she relished the step up to 3000m as she carved out an impressive win in the Gr 2 Mercedes-Benz Gold Vase at Greyville on Saturday. Golden Parachute (NZ) took second, ahead of Royal Captive (NZ) and Omaha Beach (SAF).

The race didn't start too well for the eventual winner as she lost a couple of lengths at the start. Up front, Hospitality won the battle for the lead, going about two lengths clear of Starzene with Mokaro and Noblewood also prominent. Two Strikes was also very much in touch, racing ahead of Chico Azul, Gilmore Girl and Wood Be Magic. Golden Parachute raced in the second half of the pack with Royal Captive also held up as Equiparada and veteran Omaha Beach brought up the rear.

The first tactical move of the race came about 1000m out as Wood Be Magic came through to take the lead with Chico Azul following him closely. Hospitality found himself relegated to third and something was clearly amiss as he started to lose ground soon after relinquishing the lead. Golden Parachute had started to creep closer, albeit a few horses wide and Equiparada and Omaha Beach also started to progress conspicuously through the field.

The front runners disappeared upon turning for home and Golden Parachute came through easily to hit the front, travelling like a winner. He looked to have the measure of his field but Equiparada still had another gear to call on and once Anthony Delpech popped the question, she closed in with some purpose, showing an eye-catching turn of foot to win going away.

Equiparada had already demonstrated her staying potential with a fine third in the SA Oaks where she had committed for home very early in extremely testing conditions and still stayed on for a close third. There's no shortage of stamina in her bloodline and she continues a long tradition of Argentine-breds doing well in staying races in this country. Trainer Mike de Kock confirmed afterwards that she will now be aimed at an overseas campaign.

Golden Parachute is a tricky one to catch right and had been rather disappointing of late, but Jeff Lloyd knows how to get the best out of his mounts in these staying races and that was very much the case here. It was just his bad luck to bump into a very good filly on the day.

Royal Captive is another one with genuine staying ability but inconsistent form. He was in the mood to gallop today and ran as well as could have been expected in a competitive field.

Omaha Beach deserves a special mention for what was a remarkable effort in the circumstances. The most accomplished stayer in the race, he has looked completely washed out since returning from a long layoff and it looked as if age and injury had taken their toll on the old-timer. Instead, he responded with a hugely courageous performance, making up plenty of ground and staying on well at the end, conceding between 3-5kg to the trio that beat him.

3 b f Editor's Note (USA) - Equity (ARG) by Equalize (USA)
Owner: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum
Bred by Abolengo

Winning trainer: Mike de Kock