Wyndspelle in Oz feature
Two years after hitting a career high with a placing in the Gr.1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, Wyndspelle has returned across the Tasman for another shot at Melbourne’s spring riches.
The 6-year-old Iffraaj entire will line up in Saturday’s Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield, with expat Kiwi jockey Michael Dee booked for the ride.
Although he has won only three of his 36 starts, Wyndspelle has repeatedly proven himself at the highest level with placings in the Gr.1 Diamond Stakes (1200m), Cantala Stakes (1600m), Windsor Park Plate (1600m), Thorndon Mile (1600m), Haunui Farm WFA Classic (1600m) and Tarzino Trophy (1400m).
Otaki trainers Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard set their sights on Melbourne after Wyndspelle resumed with two strong performances at Hastings this spring, chasing home Melody Belle in the Tarzino Trophy and a strong-finishing fourth in the Windsor Park Plate.
Benner was delighted to see Wyndspelle come out of yesterday’s barrier draw with gate eight.
“He’s in the inside half of the field, with plenty of speed inside him and a lot of the favoured runners drawn wider out. He should be able to find a good position in midfield, which is where he races best.”
Benner and Wynyard are also on the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) trail with 3-year-old Shakespeare. “He’ll go to the Geelong Classic (2200m) on October 23, and he’ll need to run in the first three or four if we’re going to carry on towards the Derby.”
Back home, Benner and Wynyard will saddle two juveniles in today’s NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1000m) at Tauherenikau.
Piaggo, a son of the former Bennertrained star Vespa, finished third on debut at Wanganui before bucking and dropping his rider at Otaki on September 26. He has subsequently won an 800m trial at Otaki.
The Munnings filly Kentucky May, who carries the same pink-and-silver Jen Campin colours as Wyndspelle, finished second at Otaki in her only start to date. “They should be good chances this week.”