Spend’s lead-up programme wasn’t ideal with trials being postponed, and neither was the soft going, but the 2-year-old rose to the occasion in the Everest Carnival H. for trainers John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes, jockey Tommy Berry and owners Spendthrift Australia.
It was also a result that drew Spend’s sire Snitzel level with I Am Invincible on 23 individual 2-year-old winners of the season and the 220th lifetime juvenile winner for the Arrowfield Stud’s champion stallion.
Michael Hawkes was delighted with Spend’s performance as his preparation wasn’t all plain sailing, having won both of his trials in March the intention had been to give him at least one strong hit out before his debut.
“It was his first day at the races and we were supposed to trial him at Rosehill and they got washed out,” he said.
“He hadn’t had an official trial so it just shows the capabilities the colt’s got. He’s a really nice horse, we paid a lot of money for him, but that doesn’t mean you get the results.
“He’s a really nice horse, we paid a lot of money for him, but that doesn’t mean you get the results.” – Michael Hawkes.
“We’ve got the result this time and there’s a lot of upwards and onwards with him and obviously thanks to Spendthrift and John Muir, who bred him. We’re off to a good start.”
Spendthrift had to part with $1,550,000 to secure Spend out of Milburn Creek’s draft at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
He is a son of Walk With Attitude (Hussonet {USA}), who won the Listed Hybrid Plate and she is a daughter of the Listed Desirable H. winner Hillfa (Danehill {USA}).
The second dam Fayfa (Ire) (Slip Anchor {GB}) is a half-sister to Rafha (GB) (Kris {GB}), who produced the Group 1 winner and leading stallion Invincible Spirit (Ire). It’s also the family of the dual Group 1 winner Pride Of Dubai, now resident at Coolmore.
Spend was a $1.55 million yearling from the draft of Milburn Creek
Spend left the barrier well enough and Berry was happy to settle him in fifth spot, but confidence levels across the top weren’t particularly high.
“He’s a professional sort of colt, he’s very relaxed and when Tommy got on him he knew what it was all about,” Hawkes said.
“He’s a professional sort of colt, he’s very relaxed and when Tommy got on him he knew what it was all about.” - Michael Hawkes.
“He jumped really well and when Tommy asked him to come back to him he did and that’s a sign of a nice horse.
“To be fair he didn’t like the track at all and was under a lot of pressure 600 or 700 metres from home and you could see him dipping and diving.”
True Detective (Shamus Award), who was resuming after a debut success in February, got to the front 200 metres off the post before Spend made his bid and he stuck gallantly to his task to earn a short head victory at the first time of asking.
“To his credit he’s hit the line solidly beating a good horse,” Hawkes said.
Spend won a short-head victory over True Detective
Berry said it wasn’t all plain sailing for Spend, who he felt was in a bit of trouble turning in.
“I was in two minds at the start with him, but a couple got inside me so I let them go. To be honest, coming to the corner I was a little bit worried because they were running quite quickly and he’s not an 1100 metre horse.
“To be honest, coming to the corner I was a little bit worried because they were running quite quickly and he’s not an 1100 metre horse.” – Tommy Berry.
“He feels like 1200 to 1400 metres will suit him best. I was under pressure and wasn’t really going anywhere and I gave him a couple at the top of the straight and then went back hands and heels.
“He picked them up quite easily then. He definitely got a bit tired over the last 100 metres, which he was entitled to.
“He’s only had a couple of jump-outs this preparation so it’s all ahead of him. He’s still a bit raw at the moment and he’s a nice colt going forward, but he’s still got to prove himself.”
Spend and True Detective had the finish to themselves with third placegetter Beltisa (Rubick) four and a-quarter lengths adrift at the finish.
