Spendthrift Farm won with Ameristralia at Bendigo on Sunday and they raised the bar again when Spirit And Fire flaunted his class at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The Team Hawkes trained colt always looked the winner on debut after firming into a $1.70 TAB favourite for the 3YO Maiden over 1100 metres. “He jumped straight to the front and Tommy (Berry) didn’t want to give up the lead when they tackled him down the back straight,” Michael Hawkes said. “He had a lap full on horse on the corner and then dug deep in the straight.”
Spirit And Fire (pictured returning to scale) is a son of More Than Ready and G2 Silver Slipper Stakes winner Amelia’s Dream (Redoute’s Choice).
A $700,000 buy at the 2015 Inglis Easter yearling sale, he has been given time to mature and that’s about to pay off in spades this spring.
“This colt is still learning and Spendthrift Farm have been very patient after entrusting us with such nice colts like this one,” Hawkes added. “It’s midnight in Kentucky but I’m sure Mr Hughes is still up watching the race over there.
“We haven’t been in a rush with Spirit And Fire and there’s plenty of improvement to come. Thanks also to Garry Cuddy and Spendthrift’s Australian team. They do a great job and we will be seeing lots more winners in their colours.”
Spendthrift Farm hosts its stallion parade comprising Hampton Court, Jimmy Creed (USA) and Warrior’s Reward (USA) on Saturday, August 27 at Romsey in Victoria.
Jimmy Creed is a Group 1 winning son of champion sire Distorted Humour and his first USA bred yearlings include a $60,000 filly from last month’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Sale and a $60,000 colt at this week’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale.
Spendthrift Farm’s stallion parade coincides with the appearance of its star colt Tom’s Ready in the G1 King’s Bishop Stakes at Saratoga. The More Than Ready colt was purchased by B Wayne Hughes as a shuttle prospect after a last-start victory in the G2 Woody Stephens Stakes at Belmont Park.
For more information about the Spendthrift Farm stallion parade, the Breed Secure program, or about any of Spendthrift Australia’s stallions or programs, please contact Garry Cuddy at +61 410 451 595, Josh Rix at +61 499 880 855, or Mark Szczepanowski at +61 499 444 052, or visit www.spendthrift.com.au