All but pulled out of the race when trailing home last behind the smart Sunlight at the Gold Coast a week back, the Michael Nolen-trained Spirit's Pride turned his fortunes around at Toowoomba on Sunday to rack up the seventh winner for boom stallion Spirit Of Boom.
Jumping sharply from an inside barrier for Skye Bogenhuber, Spirit's Pride led his eight rivals a merry dance in the Wimmers QTIS Two-Years-Old Handicap (1000m) but began to shorten stride when running out of gas close to home.
Charge Forward gelding Mishani Ruler came with a barnstorming finish under Nozi Tomizawa but was out-bobbed on the line. Mishani Valley was four and three-quarter lengths back in third after being prominent throughout.
"Not much went right at the Coast the other day and Jeff (Lloyd) sought of pulled him up out of the race," Nolen told Sky Racing.
"We put the blinkers on him during the week and he worked terrifically in them.
"I said to Skye give him a dig out and get him on the fence and she did that. He hung on so we are pretty happy.
"His another Spirit Of Boom to win and he is out of Proud so it's another win for that family.
"We want to head to the Magic Millions. It's probably pie in the sky stuff but we might get a run if a few drop out."
Spirit's Pride (pictured above as a yearling) was an $86,000 purchase by his trainer from the Clear Mountain Fairview draft at the 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He is the ninth foal and ninth winner out of the wonderful producer Proud (Buck's Pride). 
Her best is the Michael Nolen-trained Upstart Pride (Tycoon Ruler) the winner of nine races and placed 13 times in 37 starts highlighted by his victory in this year's Listed GCTC Goldmarket Handicap.
Spirit's Pride is the final foal of Proud who died in September 2016.
Spirit Of Boom heads into the New Year as the leading first season stallion for number of winners (7) and earnings. He has broken through the half-million barrier and with the first two favourites in the $2 million Magic Millions 2yo Classic, the Eureka Stud stallion will give the chasing pack something to catch over the remainder of the season for first-season sire honours.
Spirit of Boom has 11 entries for the 2018 Magic Millions Yearling Sale
