It has been a breakout year for Philippe and Tara Vigouroux and it got better on their home track at Hawkesbury on Sunday, June 9.
The husband and wife training duo landed the Jazcom Thoroughbreds Benchmark 64 Handicap (1000m) with outsider Azcannyaz, part-owned by Tara's father, Hawkesbury Race Club chairman, Ken Quigley.
The six-year-old's victory capped an excellent weekend for the pair, who also scored with Stars Galawe on the ACTON synthetic track at Canberra last Friday.
The Canberra and Hawkesbury wins boosted their season's tally to 13 and there's nothing unlucky about that.
In this current season, ending on July 31, the couple has already equalled the total number of winners they had prepared in the previous three seasons.
Philippe Vigouroux singled out a couple of factors for such an excellent season, especially regarding winner Azcannyaz.
"The PolyTrack [opened 12 months ago] has changed things around with training at Hawkesbury," he said.
"It's a great asset for the club and it was the first thing I mentioned to HRC Chief Executive, Greg Rudolph, after the win on Sunday.
"This horse was a bit unsound last preparation and we spelled him, but he has come back good.
"I also have to thank Bruce Johnson for use of the water walker at North Richmond."
Team Vigouroux provided a perfect example of such a terrific season by getting both Azcannyaz and Stars Galawe ready to win first-up without trials.
Stars Galawe hadn't raced since finishing fourth in a 1000m Maiden at Adaminaby on November 24 last year and her breakthrough success racing in blinkers in the 1080m Maiden Handicap at Canberra certainly wasn't out of turn.
It came at her 27th start after 10 minor placings.
Azcannyaz, a six-year-old by Canny Lad, also has been a prolific placegetter like his stablemate Stars Galawe.
He has been placed on no less than 18 occasions from 40 starts, but this was his fourth victory.
In the process, Azcannyaz robbed Lagarde's trainer Brad Widdup of a home track double.
Hawkesbury's leading trainer won the opening event, the PolyTrack Metro and Provincial Maiden Handicap (1300m,) with two-year-old Delago Deluxe filly Parlour ($3.80), well ridden by his brother-in-law Christian Reith.
It was his 37th winner for the season - and a special one at that, being his first for the Kelly family, of Newhaven Park fame.
The Family Fun Race Day concept has become a feature of the June long weekend in the region and Hawkesbury Race Club chief executive, Greg Rudolph, was especially pleased with the turnout.
"Sunday's race meeting has become a real community event, with families turning out in droves as the weather improved," said Rudolph.
"It has the potential to become even better and our team are already looking at ways to improve on Sunday's success."
The next race meeting at Hawkesbury Race Club will take place on Tuesday, June 25.
Finn Coleman
I understand the importance of community news in highlighting stories that members of local communities care about - including events, businesses, sports and the people that make towns unique. Email me at finn.coleman@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0437 550 909
I understand the importance of community news in highlighting stories that members of local communities care about - including events, businesses, sports and the people that make towns unique. Email me at finn.coleman@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0437 550 909
