Oscar Zulu was not the only talented three year-old winner on Saturday bred and sold by Gilgai Farm with promising young stayer Token Spirit taking out the $150,000 VRC GH Mumm Mahogany Challenge Final (2500m) a Flemington.
Trained by Robbie Griffths and Matthew de Kock, Token Spirit finished sixth in the Group I VRC Victoria Derby last spring and was subsequently gelded.
A last start winner at Sandown, with plenty of recent racing to have him fit for this staying test, Token Spirit was sent out favourite and scored a dominant three and a half length win for Jamie Kah.
Token Spirit has the overall record of three wins from 13 starts with prizemoney in excess of $250,000 and his trainers think he may have another run before spelling.
"I guess we'll take it a step-by-step process. We'll see how he pulls up. We could be greedy and come back towards the end of the month and take advantage of him VOBIS qualifications but we'll see how he pulls up,” said Matthew de Kock.
"He looks like a nice type of horse that we'll be able to program and manage to some nice races next season."
A $300,000 Magic Millions purchase for Griffiths Racing/Peter Ford T'breds from the Gilgai Farm draft, Token Spirit was the most expensive yearling sired by Wandjina in 2019 and runs for a syndicate that includes his breeder Rick Jamieson.
He is the second winner for Group I Queensland Oaks winner Miss Keepsake, who comes from an outstanding New Zealand classic family that has produced Group I stayers such as Grosvenor, National Gallery, Mahaya and Tavago.
The quality of this iconic family is highlighted by the presence of two more champions in Lonhro and Lankan Rupee as well as star Kiwi miler Catalyst.
Miss Keepsake produced a colt by So You Think last spring and is back in foal to him again.
Token Spirit is the only horse to win beyond 2000m for Snitzel’s Group I winning son Wandjina, who has relocated to Victoria and stands at Larneuk Stud this spring at a fee of $8,800.
