Big GP Victory to Laurie in Vegas
Sunday, 19 April 2015

Katie Laurie and Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark are the toast of Las Vegas tonight after winning the $US75,000 Canadian Pacific Grand Prix.

The duo were one of just three of the original 22 starters to come through to the jump-off. There, Alec Lawler (USA) on Agamemnon laid down the challenge, going clear in 39.36 seconds.

Next out was Laurie, who said she went out in the jump-off with nothing to lose.

“I was careful to the water tray and then the second to last fence was quite skinny but I turned tight into that and made up time.”

She didn't let up until she was through the finish flags, coming home clear in 37.79 seconds.

Third out was Todd Minikus (USA) and Babalou, who had a rail in 38.87.

“I did worry Mark would remember (last night's problem at the treble) and in the first round he was jumping really high but I rode him a bit more forward than normal and he trusted me.”

Laurie has always had every belief in the June Berrington-owned chestnut.

“I am so relieved. I think maybe I let the pressure get to me yesterday,” she says.

“I thought the course was good out there and expected more than three clear rounds. The treble was much better for Mark tonight and I rode it a whole lot better. I was a lot more confident because I knew last night was my fault.”

It was a disappointed Laurie last night who had bowed out of the second round of the Longines FEI World Cup, but she says talking to her dad Jeff McVean had encouraged her to make the last minute change.

“It was the same with Delphi in Kentucky, when dad has said let's start her on the last day so we don't finish on a bad note,” said Laurie. “It was all very last minute last night!”

She's not even sure just how much of the $US75,000 prize purse is hers, but she is hugely relieved.

“It's taken a whole heap of pressure off!”

Tomorrow the horses head to Calgary, in Canada, for a short rest before their first competition at Spruce Meadows in mid May.