A welcome change of luck for the honest 9-year-old gelding Spirit Ridge (GB) in Saturday's Group III JRA Chairman's Hcp (2000m) at Doomben, his first win in over 16 months.
Ridden by James McDonald for Annabel Neaham, the imported son of Nathaniel staged a two-horse war with the New Bay (GB) gelding New Endeavour; they split the line with Spirit Ridge (GB) getting the bob. Dune Forty Five (Americain) was a length back in third.
The winner of the Group III ATC Summer Cup, Group III BRC Premier's Cup, and Listed ATC January Cup, when trained by Mark Newnham, Spirit Ridge (GB), has had a frustrating run of minor placings for Annabel Neasham, including seconds in the Group 1 The Metropolitan, Group III Tatts Cup, and Group III Newcastle Cup.
Purchased by De Burgh Equine/Darby Racing for 100,000 guineas at the 2019 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale, Sprit Ridge (GB) advances his record to eight wins, eleven seconds, and four thirds from 44 starts with earnings of $1,156,749.
“Full credit to the horse. He just keeps going well,” stable representative Todd Pollard said.
“His first-up run in the Wagga Cup was good, and he was always in the market before the race.
“It was a bit of an ugly race. He really took off before the turn. Our other two in the race looked like they could quinella it around the corner, but they probably knocked up a little late.
“He’s also a big gross horse so that the first-up run would bring him on. He’ll step up to the 2400-metres, I’d imagine, now. Hopefully, he can go on with it.”
“It was a great ride by James - one of the best in the business.”
Spirit Ridge (GB) is the best of four winners from eight to race for the Grade 1 Yellow Ribbon Stakes and Grade 1 Gamely Handicap winner Tates Creek.
By leading broodmare sire Rahy Tates Creek is a half-sister to 7-time Group 1 winner Sightseek and to the dam of the Cheveley Park Stakes, Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and One Thousand Guineas heroine Special Duty,
