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Contessa Vanessa wins 2018 Sunline Vase Group 3 NZ$70,000 at Ellerslie (NZ), 2100m.
Winner of the Eight Carat Classic (Gr 2, 1600m) here late December, Contessa Vanessa was too strong taking out win five from 17 starts. A warm favourite, rider Chris Johnson gave her the perfect run, leading with a lap to run then dropping into the trail (fence) past the 1600m.
The field compacted at the 700m but Johnson held the filly against the fence in third to the straight and once balanced drove her along to co lead at the 200m then take over at the 100m, enough to hold them off by three quarters of a length with something in reserve.
Gold Spice was back of midfield at the 600m, had to pull wide for a run at the 300m and ran on well to grab second.
Marcellina was last at the 600m and into the straight then weaved her way through along the inner to finish well for a close third from Kapoor who kept on well next to the fence to be a close fourth.