Vessem takes out Northern Southland Cup

The Hayden and Amanda Cullen trained Vessem proved too good for his rivals in a frantically run Group 3 Northern Southland Cup at Ascot Park yesterday afternoon.

One of three runners off a 25m handicap, Vessem and driver Olivia Thornley bided their time mid field while there were numerous lead changes up front.

Just in behind the leaders for the last lap, Vessem swept three wide at the home turn and sprinted home the best to score by a length and a quarter from Franco Sinatra.

The 5-year-old son of Vincent has now won eleven races and banked $309,793 in stakes earnings.

It was Vessem’s fourth win at stakes level and his first for his current trainers.

Bred by Hazel van Opzeeland (who still retains part ownership), Vessem is out of the Bettor’s Delight mare Imke B.