All the latest news from Spicer Thoroughbreds.
Storming Debut At The Gold Coast
The well named Storm The Fortress (by Invader) could not have been more impressive on debut this afternoon when he lined up in a 1200m Maiden at the Gold Coast.
Although we suspected he might take a run or two to tighten up and be ready to to win, he surprised us a little by just going bang!!!
The stunning chestnut jumped well from his nice alley and birthday boy, Andrew Mallyon let him just camp behind the trio who dominated the speed. Shortly after straightening it was just a matter of peeling off heels, getting balanced and once he leveled out to chase, he knuckled down and picked them off easily. He still has a bit to learn but his impressive turn of foot was excitng to watch and he will benefit a stack from that race experience.
The 3yo gives every indication he will relish a mile being out of an O’Reily mare and if he can win his next start he will be Magic Millions bound for the 3yo Guineas.
No Drama Shows What He’s Made Of
We were rapt to notch up another winner in successive days, this one coming with No Drama, a horse we purchased as a tried runner from NZ earlier this year. He scored his first Australian win in terrific fashion today at Bendigo today appreciateing the Good 4 and step up to 1400m. He had had 2 runs for us prior to this victory… he got outbobbed on the line in Adelaide, then didnt have any luck at his following start. Unfortunately he went around in the red on both occasions but thankfully those who stuck fat got their payday with him saluting at the juicy odds of around $10.
The 3yo has the ability but is still a good prep or two away from reaching his potential with some maturing to do mentally. Today though he gave us a real glimpse of what he can do on a racetrack if he puts it all together and today we took luck out of the equation. He was sent straight to the lead and was rated perfectly by Froggy Newitt. He straightened with a nice advantage and kept going strongly to the line holding at bay any idea of a challenge from race fav, Holymanz, running good time for the 1400m affair and disposed of a very handy bunch, mainly 3yo’s on the up. In fact,he ran nearly 12 lengths quicker than the other 1400m on the day.
We are seriously thinking about the Sandown Guineas to be run at Caulfield on the 26th Nov. Lindsey Smith has done a terrific job with this bloke. He has a few quirks but we are starting to see them get ironed out of his repertoire.
Recap Breaks Through For First Win
4yo mare, Recap gave her connections something to smile about after she notched up her first race victory at Casterton today. Appreciating the step up in trip especially to the 1800m with the venue change, she jumped well but was a bit keen early so Blaike McDougall took hold and she came back to him nicely. He followed the $1.45 fav Castrel Trosino into the lane then switched off its back and levelled up half way down the running. Although the fav gave a good kick, our girl dug deep and did best to score a well deserved win.
Recap is not overly blessed with talent but she tries hard whenever she goes around and 7 placings from her first 10 starts is testament to that. Finally she is a winner and that is all she needs on her resumé as she will eventually progress to the breeding barn.
She will head to an online sale shortly and the fact she’s from the same family of the champion Fastnet Rock will add a bit of lustre to her appeal as a broodmare but there is still plenty of racing ahead of her yet!
Kissinger Keeps On Keeping On
He’s been up since May but tough gelding Kissinger just keeps turning up and is racing in career best form at the moment. This made evident by a terrific win on Cranbourne Cup day today. It was his 11th run-in but he’s superbly managed by Lindsey Smith at home and he presents the horse rock hard fit and in great order. Combining with Damien Oliver at his last 3 outings has also been most beneficial 2 wins and a 2nd.
Today Ollie rode one out of the Jockey’s manual. He had the 7yo on the fence behind the leaders for the 2540m event. Although the big boy got a bit fired up when he saw the crowd the first time in the straight, he relaxed beautfully after that. He took some encouraging when they sprinted but gained momentum to be ready to pounce when the game came. Once it did, Ollie presented and Kissinger finished best to score. Port Phillip who nosed him out at Caulfield last start with a 1kg advantage could only manage 3rd today this time conceding 4.5kg.
It was a terific win under the circumstances with Cranbourne not really a track which works in his favour. We willmore than likely head to the Pakenham Cup then aim for the Bagot Hcp at Flemington, a race which looks ideal for him!
Kissinger is only lightly raced with 6 wins and 7 placings from 24 starts. The win today took his earnings to over a quarter of a million dollars. Congratulations to all connections!
CRANBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 12: Damien Oliver riding Kissinger winning Race 3, the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon, during Melbourne Racing on Cranbourne Cup Day at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)
Kissinger (NZ) ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images)
Kissinger (NZ) ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)
Kissinger (NZ) ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)
Kissinger (NZ) ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)
Kissinger (NZ) ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)
Kissinger (NZ) after winning the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images)
Connections of Kissinger (NZ) after winning the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images)
Connections of Kissinger (NZ) after winning the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)
