Spirited Eagle
July 7th 2010 22:56
Spirited Eagle showed both class and courage to carry the impost of 59 kg on a slow rated track to win at Moonee Valley last Saturday. This 2 year old gelding by Not A Single Doubt, carrying the distinctive eagle design colours of owner and winemaker Wolf Blass, raced closer to the speed than he had at his previous come-from-last victory at Sandown Lakeside and had to push through gaps to gain a narrow victory.
(photo: Neil Murray) click image for enlargement
Neil Murray Photography
Clare Lindop (yellow and brown colours) tries to balance Spirited Edition as she pushes through a gap turning for home at Moonee Valley. On her outside in the green and yellow silks is Jason Benbow on Hovercraft (2nd) - trying to keep Spirited Edition cramped for room. Both horses appear slightly unbalanced. Inside Spirited Edition in the pink and black is Darren Gauci aboard Legion's Belle (4th). Gauci looks across as Legion Belle's hindquarters are brushed as a result of the crowding outside of him. On the rails in the Darley colours of maroon and white is Craig Newitt aboard Retrieve who made ground from well back and poked through on the rails to briefly steal the lead.
Here is a section of the stewards' report for this race:
Race 1 – BECOME A MVRC MEMBER HANDICAP - 1200 metres:
Jockey Clare Lindop had great faith in her mount and did not panic even when racing tight and tightened for room when turning for home. A less genuine horse would have found a reason to wilt - but Spirited Eagle kept fighting right to the line where he would ultimately hold a narrow nose margin over the Starcraft gelding Hovercraft.
Trainer Leon MacDonald will now spell the gelding and produce him again in the late Spring or Autumn. A long break that could be the making of this immature yet impressive horse.
Spirited Eagle was an $85,000 purchase from the 2009 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale. His dam Rezidencia was a Moonee Valley winner herself - and she is the daughter of Group Winner Society Bay. Although his breeding suggests that Spirited Eagle would be best suited as a sprinter, it is expected that he will get out over more ground with maturity.
MacDonald also believes that Spirited Eagle will be better suited on firmer going, and on a bigger track, making this win at Moonee Valley all the more meritorious.
Spirited Eagle with Clare Lindop aboard pushing between runners at Moonee Valley
(photo: Neil Murray) click image for enlargement
Neil Murray Photography
Clare Lindop (yellow and brown colours) tries to balance Spirited Edition as she pushes through a gap turning for home at Moonee Valley. On her outside in the green and yellow silks is Jason Benbow on Hovercraft (2nd) - trying to keep Spirited Edition cramped for room. Both horses appear slightly unbalanced. Inside Spirited Edition in the pink and black is Darren Gauci aboard Legion's Belle (4th). Gauci looks across as Legion Belle's hindquarters are brushed as a result of the crowding outside of him. On the rails in the Darley colours of maroon and white is Craig Newitt aboard Retrieve who made ground from well back and poked through on the rails to briefly steal the lead.
Here is a section of the stewards' report for this race:
Race 1 – BECOME A MVRC MEMBER HANDICAP - 1200 metres:
During the running of the race Spirited Eagle cast his near fore plate.
After passing the 800m Spirited Eagle which was puling very hard shifted out to avoid the heels of Mcloaded and in doing so severely hampered Royal Rambler and Hovercraft which had to be checked. Hovercraft and Royal Rambler both continued to race ungenerously with their head up for some distance afterwards.
Near the 300m Hovercraft laid in under pressure tightening the running of Spirited Eagle, Bingo Betty and Mcloaded.
After passing the 800m Spirited Eagle which was puling very hard shifted out to avoid the heels of Mcloaded and in doing so severely hampered Royal Rambler and Hovercraft which had to be checked. Hovercraft and Royal Rambler both continued to race ungenerously with their head up for some distance afterwards.
Near the 300m Hovercraft laid in under pressure tightening the running of Spirited Eagle, Bingo Betty and Mcloaded.
Jockey Clare Lindop had great faith in her mount and did not panic even when racing tight and tightened for room when turning for home. A less genuine horse would have found a reason to wilt - but Spirited Eagle kept fighting right to the line where he would ultimately hold a narrow nose margin over the Starcraft gelding Hovercraft.
Trainer Leon MacDonald will now spell the gelding and produce him again in the late Spring or Autumn. A long break that could be the making of this immature yet impressive horse.
Spirited Eagle was an $85,000 purchase from the 2009 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale. His dam Rezidencia was a Moonee Valley winner herself - and she is the daughter of Group Winner Society Bay. Although his breeding suggests that Spirited Eagle would be best suited as a sprinter, it is expected that he will get out over more ground with maturity.
MacDonald also believes that Spirited Eagle will be better suited on firmer going, and on a bigger track, making this win at Moonee Valley all the more meritorious.
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