Musk Creek Farm homebred Spur On Gold was a fitting winner of the Wise Choice Plate (1500m) at Mornington last Thursday.

The son of Flying Spur was shunned by prospective buyers on three occasions before Musk Creek owners David Kobritz and Teresa Poon made the wise choice to race the gelding themselves.

Spur On Gold (3g Flying Spur – Witwatersrand by Unfuwain) was a November foal and was still immature when Musk Creek offered him for sale at the 2013 Melbourne Premier.  It didn’t help that he was by an aging sire from an imported mare with staying bloodlines and he was eventually passed-in for $60,000.

Offered again at the Magic Millions National yearling sale three months later, he failed to find a bidder past $21,000.

“He wasn’t attractive to the market and it was obviously a case of not being a precocious type and being a bit plain,” Kobritz recalled.  “Everyone at the farm liked him so it was decided to have him syndicated.”

Broken in by Chris Diplock and then gelded, he began growing and developing into a big, strong type and he also moved well.  “Considering his staying pedigree, we thought he would be suited with Pat Carey,” Kobritz explained.  “But we didn’t sell a single share and he was withdrawn from the market.”

The three-time reject was unplaced over sprint trips at Sale before rewarding his connections third time out at Mornington last week.  Stepping up to 1500 metres, he circled the field and hit the line strongly to win by over a length with regular rider Roger Booth aboard.

“A win at our home track is always very enjoyable,” Carey said.  “David and Teresa are also based on the peninsula at Flinders which makes it all the better.

“Musk Creek is a beautiful property set on rolling hills with a view of the sea.  Full credit to farm manager Darren Mackereth and his team.  They care for Spur On Gold when he is spelling and I believe he’s a horse with a good future.”

SPUR ON GOLD