Playlist Proves A Classic Hit In Vic Peters

HE was meant to be the second stringer – except in the eyes of trainer Matt Clark.

And Playlist lived right up to his trainer's lofty expectations with an all-the-way victory in Saturday night's Group 1 Vic Peters Classic (520m) at Wentworth Park.

“I had to go and have a few a quiet moments by myself after the race … it's hard to explain what winning this race means,” beamed a proud Matt Clark.

“I said all week this dog was right in the race and he proved me right. When I saw Playlist give his brother Catch The Thief a shoulder through the first turn I thought that'd be right, two dogs in the race and they come together. Swap the boxes and the result is probably the other way.”

Playlist, a son of boom young sire Aussie Infrared, went into the $75,000 to-the-winner finale largely in the shadow of his group winning brother Catch The Thief, considered a $12 chance for the rich age-restricted finale.

But with a strong beginning from box one, Playlist made the Vic Peters Classic his own, leading all-the-way to defeat a gallant Tommy Shelby, the WA star miraculously finishing second following a shocking getaway.

“He was an enormous run Tommy Shelby; I feel a bit for Steve (Withers) – he's a fantastic bloke – his turn will come soon enough,” Clark added.

Scoring by 3 1/4 lengths in 29.96, Playlist landed career win number nine of his 20 start career and in doing so taking his prize  money earnings on the cusp of $100,000.

For trainer Matt Clark, the victory is just reward for what's been an anything but conventional week, forced to hunker down in NSW at Potts Park due to the NSW-Victoria border closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I said all week staying up here was a blessing in disguise and it was,” Clark said.

“And to have my wife Bianca here to enjoy the night when it didn't appear like she'd get here from Victoria earlier in the week means everything. It's a night we'll never forget.

“But I'm looking forward to getting home too.”

In the aftermath of the win Clark was at pains to heap praise on part-owner Louie Cardillo who sadly couldn't be trackside Saturday night.

“He deserves a group 1 more than anyone,” Clark said.

“Louie's been a fantastic owner right the way through and to win this race for him means everything.”

With Clark now tasting group race success in Western Australia (with Catch The Thief) and New South Wales (with Playlist), the proud Victorian now turns his attention to this Saturday's Group 1 Maturity Classic heats at The Meadows.

“It'll be nice to be home for the week,” Clark said.