A Spirited Win - Spirit of Gold

Warranting favouritism, Spirit of Gold (4 m Medaglia d'Oro - Full of Spirit, by Flying Spur) broke through at her fifth start $10,000 Vernon and Vazey Maiden 1600 metres on 25 February at Pukekohe.

After stepping up with seconds at her previous two starts, over 1800m and 2000 metres, respectively, trainer Jamie Richards elected to drop the mare back to a mile, while also adding blinkers.

Immediately into a perfect position, fourth, Spirit of Gold presented on straightening and began to draw clear inside the furlong. She won with consummate ease under Danielle Johnson, who sharpened her strike rate with the trainer to 3.5.

Winning by three and a quarter lengths and returning $2.70 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB, Spirit of Gold clocked the quickest of three 1600-metre events on the programme (1:37.1).

“She didn't eat that well after her (last start) Matamata run, so we took the opportunity to give her a week in the paddock,” Richards said. “She'd had a couple of hard runs but been racing well.

“Danielle (Johnson) felt she had been waiting them a little bit, so blinkers on and back to a mile. She'd done some nice work leading into the race, got a lovely trip, and really obliged with authority.

“The team at the Middle Barn have had to be pretty patient with her. She taken a long time to strengthen up but she's getting there now.

“She's beautifully bred, from a really good race mare, and a thrill to get a win under the belt for her connections.”

Bred and owned by Haunui Farm and Hylton Mackley, by Darley stallion Medaglia d'Oro (El Prado), standing for $150,000 in 2021, she is from Full of Spirit (Flying Spur), a winner in both NZ and Australia, who highlighted her career winning the Adrian Knox Stakes (Gr. 3, 2000m) at Royal Randwick.

Impressive winning from 1300m - 2000m, Full of Spirit was runner-up in both the Makfi Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) and Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m). Adding to her broodmare value, which has already seen progeny sell for $360,000 and $210,000, her Broodmare of the Year dam Imposingly (Imposing) left dual Horse of the Year Bonneval (Makfi), a triple Group One winner, along with Championship Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m) winner Lord Arthur (Camelot), Manawatu Classic (Gr. 3, 2000m) winner Lady Cumquat (Duke of Marmalade), dual Group Two placed Imposing Lass (Makfi), and current NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) nominee Frontman (Makfi).

“It was a very nice effort and she was well prepped by Jamie (Richards) and the team, who have done a great job with her,” said Mark Chitty, Haunui Farm.

“She's from a wonderful family and we've been patient. She showed a lot early on and her first trial at Te Teko was quite encouraging, but she sort of lost the way while continuing growing.

“We've had a patient approach and Jamie has worked out what might be best. We're going to give her a chance in Melbourne of adding to her CV before she goes to stud. And, we've already got a filly in mind as an able replacement in the stable.”

For all breeders the advent of stakes' form is the pinnacle and judging by the manner of her Maiden victory Spirit of Gold may well keep stepping up to realise the goal.

Spirit of Gold was strapped by Reece Trumper.

Photo  credit - www.raceimages.co.nz