Recording his fourth winner of the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup in the last five years and seventh overall, the imported Soul Of Spain (IRE) gave Champion trainer Chris Waller a one-three result in Friday’s 2300m staying feature.
Coming into the race off the back of wins at Ipswich and Doomben this campaign, the 5yo imported son of Phoenix Of Spain (Lope de Vega) jumped away the race favourite from the inside barrier, going forward to settle handy in third.
With Brett Kavangah’s last start Listed Wyong Cup fourth placed Indifference (Kermadec) going forward to take up the running, Soul Of Spain’s stablemate Travolta (Lope de Vega) settle in second just ahead of the race favourite.
Another of the favoured runners, the Ciaron Maher trained Royal Supremacy (Make Believe) had switched off in fourth place, getting a lovely trail into the race behind the leading trio.
As the 1200m was reached, the tempo increased with Royal Supremacy pulling to the outside of Soul Of Spain to make his run just before the home turn was reached.
As Indifference drifted off the rail, Soul Of Spain took the run and extended, holding off Royal Supremacy to score by three-quaters of a length with Travolta back in third.
The Irish-bred stayer, who holds a nomination to the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) on October 4, took his overall record to five wins from 14 starts with more than $300,000 in earnings for connections.
Having previously won over 3300m in Europe, Soul Of Spain should have no issue with stepping up in trip for the Metropolitan should connections decide to head that way.
Now into 6/1 equal favouritism for The Metropolitan, stable rep Zane Jones was not surprised with the continual improvement that Soul Of Spain has shown.
“Every time Chris raises the bar, he just seems to jump through it,” said Jones.
“He's got plenty of upside, he's lightly raced, he's continuing to build a good record.
“It was a run full of merit the other day, and we were under no illusions that it was a harder assignment today, but he's passed with flying colours.”
Riding Soul Of Spain for the first time, Lloyd highlighted the gelding’s adaptability as a key positive.
“He's a pleasure to ride,” said Lloyd.
“With such a slow tempo, I thought it could favour the other runners in the race but he quickened very well and never felt like getting beat.”
Initially sold for €50,000 at the 2022 Goffs Orby Sale from the Irish National Stud draft to Greenhill Farm, Soul Of Spain was then re-offered him as a 2yo at the 2023 Arqana Breeze Up Sale where €160,000 was required by Blanford Bloodstock and New Zealand’s Go Racing to secure him.
One of four winners, and the first at black type level out of his Pivotal sired dam Aimhirgin Lass, Soul Of Spain comes from the family of Group 1 Golden Jubilee winner Malhub (Kingmambo).
Standing for a fee of €10,000 at the Irish National Stud, Soul Of Spain’s sire Phoenix of Spain was himself a winner of the Group 1 Irish 2,000 Guineas, where he defeated Too Darn Hot and Magna Grecia.
Soul of Spain is one of eight international stakes performers, and first in Australia for his sire, which is headed by the Group 2 -winning, multiple Group 1 placed Hateem.
