Vital victory kick-starts Ascot

Vital Importance started the Ascot season with the sixth win of her career and trainer Neville Parnham is confident of another successful campaign this summer.

The consistent daughter of Touchstone Farm sire Vital Equine has now banked over $278,000 in prizemoney and Westspeed bonuses after another determined victory in the Crown Perth Hcp (1730m).

“I thought she deserved to be favourite,” Parnham said on Saturday.  “It was an excellent run behind The Alleged last week and she pulled up so well we decided to back-up.

“She was a black-type filly last season and will get over ground this prep.  She won with authority today and does best when allowed to settle and come with a strong finish.”

Vital Importance (4m Vital Equine – French Knickers by Dehere) was bred and sold by Gervase Park owner Chris Gales for just $5,000 at the 2012 Perth Magic Millions.  Her dam was a Sunshine Coast maiden winner for the late Bruce McLachlan before changing hands as a broodmare prospect at the 2007 Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale.

Gales bought French Knickers for $80,000 and she foaled three fillies in Western Australia – Miss Lingerie (Danzero), Tristy Girl (Flying Pegasus) and Vital Importance – before being pensioned in 2011.

Vital Equine is an Irish bred son of Danetime and he stands for a $4,400 (inc gst) service fee at Touchstone Farm.