It’s a long way from a Warragul maiden to the Vicbred Super Series finals at Melton but veteran Melbourne breeder-owner Ian Kitchin is hoping talented two-year-old filly Vee Em Gee Macray can make the grade.
“She’s a big filly who’s fairly green and still learning the game, but I know Greg (Sugars) has got a high opinion of her,” Kitchin said.
Having only her third start, the Sweet Lou filly let down with a strong finishing flourish from midfield to win by almost a length with something in reserve at Warragul.
Kitchin, a retired stamp auctioneer whose horses carry the ‘Macray’ moniker, has a long and successful association with the Vicbred Super Series. He bred and raced Dee En Ay Macray, who won Vicbred finals as a two and three-year-old at Moonee Valley in the early 2000s.
Dee En Ay Macray was trained by the late Alan Tubbs and driven by his daughter, Amy, whose sister, Jess, trains Vee Em Gee Macray in partnership with husband, Greg Sugars, and who is the filly’s joint breeder and owner with Kitchin.
“Jess selected Sweet Lou as a suitable consort for Wya Mya Macray and Vee Em Gee Macray is the result,” Kitchin said.
“She’s an embryo transfer foal as are her two younger siblings, a yearling filly by Sportswriter and a weanling colt by Poster Boy. Their mother has now been retired from breeding.”
Vee Em Gee Macray ranks as a half-sister to the Vicbred Platinum Metropolitan Final winner Tee Cee Bee Macray and the Vicbred finalists Larajay Macray and Rocco Americano.
The filly’s name is derived from the initials of Vicki-Mosher Gringras, the wife of USA Hall of Fame reinsman Yannick Gringras.
“Yannick was competing in an International driving tournament in Victoria a few years ago and Jess struck up a friendship with his wife,” Kitchin said.
The Australian Pacing Gold hero Same Old Macray, the Vicbred Final placegetter Bomber Macray, The Gammalite Marathon winner Kid Me Not and the Moonee Valley winners Dont Kid Me and Vic The Kid are other smart performers bred and raced by Kitchin.