Old bloke keeps on winning for Spry

THE JSM Civil Handicap (1200m) was El Toranado’s 69th start but the gelding showed no signs of weariness in a 4½-length victory in the $20,500 feature at Fannie Bay yesterday.

The Carl Spry-trained eight-year-old proved too strong for Tayarn Halter’s Harrebs Time (jockey Ray Vigar) and Gary Clarke’s Metallic Crown (Kim Gladwin).

Spry rode El Toranado to victory, too, and was thrilled when contacted by the Sunday Territorian.

“He is a good old warhorse,” Spry said.

“He’s been with us for 16 to 18 months now.

“But I’ll tell you what, that was his 69th start and if you went and saw him now you’d think he was still a young kid, he’s a lovely horse.

“He was strong throughout (the race).

“He got a soft lead early, and could dictate, he likes to race that way.

“But he can race on the outside and chase them down as well, so he’s very versatile.”

The trainer-jockey said El Toranado continues to produce despite his age.

“He’s not the A-grade sprinter, but he’s a lot of fun for it in the off-season and was a really cheap purchase originally,” Spry said.

“Age or runs don’t really weary him.

“He’s an easy horse to train and look after and is the real deal for up here.”

In other results at the Bay, Jarrod Todd rode the Philip Cole-trained Looking For You to a win in race two, while Vigar saluted on the back of Jolly Boy (Chris Pollard) in race three.

Hattan Man for Halter, with Vigar in the saddle again, and Clarke’s Taciturn (Gladwin) won races four and five.