Spieth lives up to reputation with stylish win at Rosehill
Much like its namesake, three-year-old colt Spieth is on the rise after a dominant victory in the Merman And Sydeston R78 Handicap at Rosehill today.
The Bryce Heys-trained son of Thorn Park was a touch fractious in the barriers and was subsequently forced to settle just worse than midfield. Jockey Sam Clipperton went in between runners around the home turn and it momentarily got squeezed by Noble Joey, but the class factor kicked in and it cleared away for an impressive victory.
“It takes a good horse to pick himself up like that,” Heys said. “He’s got a vicious turn-of-foot which will hold him in good stead going forward.”
It has now taken its win tally to three wins from six starts and despite dropping back in distance to 1110m it had far too much in the tank for its rivals.
“1200m back to 1100m and up in grade, it’s a good effort,” Heys said. “He probably needs another one of those, 1200m would be ideal. He definitely needs 1200m that’s for sure.”
Sam Clipperton never panicked on the exciting colt and he believes there is more in store later in its career.
“He’s a very impressive horse. Bryce and the connections have a lovely horse on their hands,” Clipperton said.
“He settled well, still has a lot of learning to do, but he’s going on to bigger and better things. Very genuine and a real trier – they [connections] will have a lot of fun with him.”
Heys didn’t let slip where he was targeting Spieth for, but another handicap race looks on the cards and we wouldn’t be surprised to see it contest some of the easier sprints during the Melbourne spring carnival.
“We’ll get him home, get another win on the board like that,” Heys said. “He’s a horse that will improve with racing, it’s just about maintaining.”
After a tricky start to the day for punters, they were pleased to see Spieth salute in the third race at odds of $2.60. It had been backed in from $3 to $2.60 at Sportsbet.com.au and punters were keen to get their money back after the well-backed Hipparchus went down in the previous race at odds of $1.60.
Spieth is currently a $41 chance in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap on June 11, but based on Heys’ comments it would need three runs in four weeks which might be a stretch too far for the young colt.