Spectroscope set for the Doncaster after taking out the prelude
FRENCH import Spectroscope has threaded the needle at Rosehill to continue its winning form in Australia after taking out the Doncaster Prelude.
The Godolphin four-year-old settled at the back of the field and looked to have hit a wall of horses at the 400m, but Leebaz and Kenjorwood bumped in the latter stages of the race, which opened a path for the horse which Corey Brown happily took to return $2.80 at Sportsbet.com.au.
No Doubt ($3.50 at Crownbet.com.au) battled on well after travelling wide for large portions of the race, but found a kick in the latter stages of the race to claim second while Marenostro ($2.40 at WilliamHill.com.au) hammered home down the outside to round out the placings.
No Doubt’s jockey Jay Ford said he was proud of the way the horse battled after a tough run in transit.
“Lovely effort, lovely horse,” Ford said.
“Obviously the winner was a bit too strong for us but love the way he stuck on really well and a horse who’s got a promising future.”
Spectroscope firmed from $26 to take out the Group One Doncaster Mile into the $13 quote at Sportsbet for the $3 million race.
The horse’s trainer John O’Shea said champion English jockey William Buick’s appraisal of Spectroscope was glowing, which was justified today.
“William Buick gave him a hell of a wrap last week,” O’Shea said.
“When William speaks we tend to listen. It appears his assessment has been spot on.”
O’Shea said the sky is the limit for the French import.
“We think he is quite a nice horse. We think he is up to the top level particularly in Australia,” the trainer said.
“He’s really enjoying it here. Just see how he pulls up.”
The Godolphin head trainer said they will target the Doncaster Mile given they will get a huge advantage over the main elects.
“There’s an opportunity for us to run in the Doncaster with no weight. If he happened to have a good week we’d give good consideration to that.
“It appears he’d going to get in with a nice light weight so it is an option.”