BEST LIES AHEAD FOR ASTUTE NZ PURCHASE SACRED PALACE

 

Sacred Palace, an impressive winner at Caulfield on Saturday (July 24), rounded out a meticulous plan drafted by Spicer Thoroughbreds, which purchased the three-year-old in early 2021 from New Zealand to target the winter months that form the back end of the Melbourne metropolitan season.

“We purchased him from Raffles Racing in New Zealand, who are great breeders and in fact raced Sacred Palace’s sire Sacred Falls, who was a dual winner of the Doncaster and Mile and a three-time Group 1 winner,” Brad Spicer said.

“He only had a handful of starts and showed good ability, but wasn’t switched right on in his races. He just needed the penny to drop. Trainer Lindsey Smith has done a great job working this boy out.

“It’s a real credit to that beach training set-up which has seen Sacred Palace improve all throughout his preparation. He’s been quite unlucky and could of easily won 4 races this prep, just his racing pattern has conspired against him.”

A get back, run-on type that really lends itself to needing clear running in the latter stages of a race, Sacred Palace illustrated his effectiveness when ridden that way at Caulfield by jockey Brett Prebble –content to cover ground so long as his mount could blend into the finish.

“He’s on an upward climb. He’s a really enjoyable ride, he travels strong and gives you a lovely kick when you want it,” Prebble, the beneficiary of regular rider Declan Bates’ suspension, said.

Spicer said Lindsey Smith will spell him now as he has had a long prep and get ready for his 4 year old season.