He had placed no fewer than six times at the elite level before he stepped out in the Rydges Wellington Captain Cook S. and to prove that point he did with an emphatic victory that nobody could say he hadn’t earned the hardest of ways.
The durable entire, who gained his first Group 1 credit as a 2-year-old, was given a gem of a ride by Jason Waddell and Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard stable star rose to the occasion to collect an overdue gold medal.
For all concerned with Wyndspelle it was an emotional affair and Waddell shed a tear or two after the race as he had opted to ride the horse over another regular partner Shadows Cast (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), who finished runner-up and on whom he had won last season’s G1 Thorndon Mile.
“It means a lot, it really does. He’s a horse I’m so fond of and he really deserves this,” Waddell said. “And for Johno and Hollie as well, they’re friends of the family.
“He’s just such a brave horse and best wishes to the connections of Shadows Cast, it was a really hard decision to make.”
“It means a lot, it really does. He’s a horse I’m so fond of and he really deserves this.” - Jason Waddell
Wyndspelle settled back on the rail off a strong pace and Waddell was able to work into the clear near the home turn and came with a well-timed finish to take major honours.
“The race was upside down and I didn’t expect that pace. I let him get comfortable and idle along the fence and got out at the top of the straight,” Waddell said.
“I got there 200 metres out and it was just a matter of keeping his mind on the job. He’s a grand and brave horse, I love him to bits.”
Wyndspelle (NZ)
Wyndspelle began his career with Donna Logan and won the G2 Waikato Guineas and finished runner-up in the G1 Sistema Diamond S. before a spell with Mick Kent, during which time he ran third in the G1 Cantala S.
On his return from Australia, he joined Benner and Wynyard and pinned further Group 1 placings for them in the Windsor Park Plate, Thorndon Mile, Haunui Farm WFA Classic and this season’s Tarzino Trophy before his watershed moment at Trentham.
“Hollie and I have had some special days on racetracks with special people and this is a special horse that deserved this,” Benner said.
“Hollie and I have had some special days on racetracks with special people and this is a special horse that deserved this.” - Johno Benner
“It was a peach of a ride and Jason’s obviously a top jockey. At the half-mile with that speed on I knew we were sitting pretty.”
Johno Benner celebrates the win
Wyndspelle was bought out of Hallmark Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales by agent Phill Cataldo and is out of the winning High Chaparral (Ire) mare, Western Star. She is a half-sister to the G3 Eclipse S. winner Lady Alberton (NZ) (Golan {Ire}).
The family also features the G1 Doncaster H. winner Brutal (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) and the G2 Matamata Breeders’ S. winner Te Akau Rose (NZ) (Thorn Park).
Iffraaj (GB), sire of Wyndspelle (NZ)
Wyndspelle is raced by a syndicate that includes bloodstock advisor Jen Campin, who is a strong supporter of the Otaki-based Benner and Wynyard.
“Jen is easy to train for and lets us do our own thing. She’s got her reward and she puts a lot of money into racing,” Benner said. “This horse owes us nothing and there’s a lovely summer program for him.”
That may include a tilt at the G1 JR and N Berkett Telegraph and the G1 Thorndon Mile, both races back at Trentham.
Shadows Cast was brave as ever in finishing runner-up and the G2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile winner True Enough (NZ) (Nom du Jeu {NZ}) came on generously for third. The favourite Supera (NZ) (Savabeel) made some ground for fourth without ever threatening .
