Spieth to beat hoodoos in Stradbroke
Stud-bound Spieth (green/white) will be trying to go out a Group One winner of the Stradbroke Hcp.
Stud-bound Spieth can break two hoodoos despite drawing the outside barrier in the Group One Stradbroke Handicap at Doomben.
The New Zealand-bred sprinter has been bought by the Aquis Farm Group to stand as a stallion next season and switched from trainer Bryce Heyes to the David Hayes, Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes Lindsay Park operation.
He’s had one run for the new stable, finishing fifth in the Group One Doomben 10,000 on May 12.
Aquis is hoping Spieth will go to the breeding barn as a Group One winner after Saturday’s Stradbroke (1350m) rather than being rated one of the unluckiest horses to never win in elite company.
Aquis Farms Deputy chief executive Shane McGrath points out the horse has twice been beaten by a nose in Group One races in the VRC Lightning and Darley Classic.
“There is no denying he has been unlucky in other Group Ones. I don’t think anyone would begrudge him his Group One win,” McGrath said.
He said Spieth had done well after missing a few days’ work when he stood on a nail.
“He was scratched from the Kingsford Smith Cup but he has since worked well,” he said.
Spieth, who will be ridden by Craig Williams, has drawn barrier 21 but will come in to 16 after scratchings.
“He hit the line really well in the Doomben 10,000 and he will just need some luck,” McGrath said.
He said no service fee had been set for Spieth but it could be influenced by Saturday’s race.
David Hayes is also keen to end his Group One hoodoo in Brisbane.
Hayes has won 92 Group One races in Australia, Hong Kong and Japan but the cupboard is bare in Brisbane.
The Hayes family have had success in Queensland with Colin Hayes winning the 1984 Queensland Oaks with Look Aloft and Peter Hayes taking the 1998 Magic Millions with Catnipped.
Aquis will have two runners in the Stradbroke after sponsoring The Monstar who won last week’s Moreton Cup.
“We were happy to help with a horse from the Hunter Valley where we have a stud. He will be up on the pace and if the rain comes he will be an even better hope,” McGrath said.
The Monstar, who will be ridden by Skye Bogenhuber, has drawn barrier eight.