The Bryce Heys-trained Spieth (Thorn Park x
Stella Livia) looks on track to clinch a well-deserved Group One springtime
victory after turning in a sharp barrier trial win at Warwick Farm on Monday.
The five-year-old entire who was purchased
for $200,000 from Trelawney Stud’s 2014 NZB draft cruised around a smoky
Warwick Farm for Corey Brown, scoring by a neck in the 800m heat and clocking a
time of 47 seconds flat on the good (4) surface.
"Corey told me the horse travelled
beautifully without being aggressive so it was a good morning out," Heys
said.
"I wanted to use this morning as a
conditioning exercise to have him cherry ripe first-up."
Heys has the Group Three Concorde Stakes
(1000m) at Randwick on September 2 earmarked for Spieth's spring return.
But the entire is also equal fifth in line
of betting ($15) with Sportsbet for the inaugural A$10m The Everest (1200m),
scheduled for Randwick on October 14.
"I haven't had any formal discussions
with any slot holders regarding The Everest," Heys said.
"We'll worry about that after his
first-up run. But we would love to be involved if his performance warrants
it."
Spieth was twice denied Group One success
last season, most notably down the straight at Flemington when nosed out behind
Malaguerra in the Darley Classic (1200m) after being badly blocked for a run.
A nose miss behind Terravista in the Group
One Lightning (1000m) at Flemington in the autumn just as heart-breaking for
Heys and connections.
The challenge for Heys now is to get Spieth
back to that elite level and clinch that elusive Group One win.
"He's still a stallion but has only
had 12 starts," Heys said. "It's now a case of keeping him mentally
stimulated.
"From what I saw this morning he's a
happy horse and in the right frame of mind."
The three-quarter brother to Spieth, Star of the Seas (Ocean Park) also trialled at Warwick Farm on Monday.
The Chris Waller-trained 3yo finished third in his 740m heat, yet to be seen at the races Star of the Seas holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Golden Rose on September 23. -racenet.com.au