Spaceboy emerges triumphant in galactic speed battle to the post
It was promoted as the battle of the speed demons, with the clash of Spaceboy, Witherspoon and Rosina Kojonup certainly living up to its billing before another player almost stole the show.
SuperRacing
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperRacing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The drag race was between Spaceboy, Witherspoon, or Rosina Kojonup. Who was the fastest? Who would find the inside rail? Who would lead?
The Kensington track’s leader bias aside, this was always going to be a frenetic 1000m sprint for the TAB Live Vision Handicap — and it delivered. This “dash for cash” had everything, you couldn’t look away.
They blazed along in front, Rosina Kojonup holding the inside rail, Spaceboy overcoming a slightly slow start to drive up alongside her, and Witherspoon flying out of the outside gate but unable to cross her main rivals.
The speedy trio came around the turn sharing the lead. Something had to give.
Rosina Kojonup couldn’t continue the pace. She started to drop out. Spaceboy began to surge, Witherspoon desperate to hold on to him.
Then another emerged as a winning chance. Black Magnum attempted a run between the two leaders but was stopped in his tracks. Who knows what would have happened if he got that run.
Finally, Spaceboy broke clear only but this still wasn’t over.
Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Prairie Fire unleashed wide out and charged at the leader in a thrilling finish that had everyone guessing. But it was Spaceboy — just.
“Watching it live, I thought the other horse had dived and just got us, outside horses often get up in close finishes here,’’ said Gary Portelli, trainer of Spaceboy.
“But I was very happy to see the result. Spaceboy is a lot stronger now and Kathy (O’Hara) has got the key to him.
“She has him going quickly without overdoing it. He had some ‘petrol’ left when they came at him.’’
Spaceboy ($3.10 favourite) held on to win by the barest of margins from Prairie Fire ($12) with Witherspoon ($8) a half length away third, just in front of Black Magnum who is still trying to get a clear run.
An observer on social media came up with a clever line after the race: “Spaceboy has become Spaceman” which aligns with Portelli assessment that the three-year-old has strengthened physically and mentally, which has contributed to the sprinter’s form surge this preparation of four wins from six starts including three in succession.
Portelli also gave O’Hara plenty of credit for Spaceboy finding the winning habit. She has now ridden the gelding three times for three wins.
O’Hara revealed the best way to ride Spaceboy is to “let him do his thing” and utilise his great asset, sheer speed.
“It’s about keeping this horse happy, keeping him in his rhythm and he’s a confident horse,’’ O’Hara said.
“He is one of those types, he really builds on his confidence and it really helps him win his races.’’
But O’Hara sided with Portelli when admitting she felt Prairie Fire had collared Spaceboy right on the line.
“I thought the other horse put his head down in front of me,’’ O’Hara said.
“But Spaceboy is super tough, he had a real never-say-die attitude today. He just kept finding and finding and finding.
“He didn’t have things to suit today and he was never going to looking at the speed in the race.
“The way it panned out it made it really tough, he was left a sitting shot but he was so good, he was really tough.
“He gave his all for me today so I couldn’t ask for me.”
Portelli has won much bigger races in his career but it is obvious he gets a real kick out of Spaceboy’s developing sprint career.
“It’s a relief to see this horse (winning) after he has shown so much early on,’’ the trainer said.
“This has been a team effort by all the staff at home. Everyone who has had anything to do with him knows how hard we have worked to get him to put these wins together for these bunch of crazy people (owners).
“He’s been a work in progress and I think you will see him potentially go on to bigger and better things as he matures.
“This is what it’s all about, people buying into horses and having a day out. We have gone through a lot with COVID and to be able to see all these people at the races cheering, it’s just a great feeling.”
TAB BIG BETS
RACE ONE
Giovanna Run led all-the-way to defy a late betting drift in the Everest Carnival On Sale Handicap (1400 metres).
Although being the best backed runner throughout the week, and again for most of today, Giovanna Run went from $2.80 around 30 minutes prior to the jump out to $3.70 – the best price available all week!
Tommy Berry took the Chris Waller runner straight to the front and the pair were never headed.
Bazooka ($4.60-$5) chased hard in second while Montefilia ($5-$6) warmed up late for third. They were the two best tried to beat the fav but still held less money combined than the winner.
BETS: Giovanna Run $1,000 @ $3.70, $1,000 @ $3.50, $1,000 @ $3, $2,800 @ $2.80, $1,000 @ $2.80, $4,500 @ $1.55 PLACE
BETS: Montefilia $2,000 x $2,500 e/w @ $5.50/$1.90
RACE TWO
Fans of Tallis were able to secure the best price available right at the death in the TAB Highway Handicap (1100 metres).
TAB had initially opened him a $6 chance on Wednesday with $5.50 available this morning. At post time, $7.50 was thrown up about the Colt Prosser horse who attracted some money but nothing compared to the likes of Skara Brae and Mr Magical.
Jumping straight to the top for Brenton Avdulla, the pair were never headed in holding out Mr Magical ($4-$4.40 fav) who tried hard after doing all the work.
Blue Missile ($14-$11) ran up to the each way support for it today by winding up third.
Skara Brae ($5) held the most money in front of Mr Magical while there was also strong support for Leo ($11) and Foxie La Belle ($6).
BETS: Skara Brae $1,380 x $1,120 e/w @ $4.40/$1.80, $1,000 @ $4.40
BETS: Mr Magical $1,195 @ $4.40, $1,000 @ $4.40 TWICE, $1,500 @ $4, $1,000 @ $4
BETS: Foxie La Belle $1,000 e/w @ $6/$2.20, $1,000 @ $6, $1,000 @ $5.50 TWICE
RACE THREE
Killin played the role of spoiler in the De Bortoli Wines Handicap (1100 metres).
The Kris Lees rep had some support at double figures early but was expected to be overshadowed by Tailleur which went around as a hot $1.75 favourite.
Killin ($13-$9) was one of the few firmers in the race and after finding the front of Tim Clark, the pair raced clear in the straight to secure the upset.
It was Lees’ 2000th career win and Clark’s second win on the day.
Tailleur tried hard but couldn’t peg back the winner with her backers reeling after the Godolphin filly commanded 57 per cent of the total investment.
Emeralds, which ran on for third, went around as a $5.50 chance and was supported outside the fav.
BETS: Tailleur $4,000 @ $1.80, $3,750 @ $1.80 TWICE, $2,000 @ $1.80 TWICE, $4,000 @ $1.75, $2,000 @ $1.75, $1,000 @ $1.75 MULTIPLE TIMES, $4,000 @ $1.70
BETS: Emeralds $1,000 x $2,000 e/w @ $5.50/$1.65
RACE FOUR
In a race of many betting moves, Le Lude proved superior in the Schweppes Handicap (1800 metres).
The John Thompson runner landed a nice move after going $14-$8 on the day. Rachel King bided her time behind the leader Whiskey Shooter and stuck to the rails, holding off the finishing burst of the popular Kiss The Bride ($4-$4.60) with Orcein ($5.50-$8.50) close up in third.
Whiskey Shooter ($18-$9.50) was another who had good each way support today.
BETS: Kiss The Bride $1,650 @ $4.60, $1,500 @ $4.60, $1,000 @ $4.60 TWICE, $2,000 @ $4.40, $1,000 @ $4.40, $1,000 @ $4
BETS: Secretly $1,000 @ $9.50
BETS: Whiskey Shooter $2,000 @ $10, $1,000 @ $10
BETS: Savigne $1,000 @ $8 TWICE, $1,000 @ $7.50
RACE FIVE
Rank outsider Paths Of Glory was a surprise winner to many punters in the Quincy Seltzer Handicap (1800 metres).
Going around as a $41 shot, Paths Of Glory did all the work outside the fav Toryjoy but outstayed that runner at the finish. Rachel King had to get everything out of the Freedman runner to register a running double.
Paths Of Glory was the best supported runner in the race.
Of the rest, Torjoy ($3.40) and Matowi ($4.80) had strong backing as did Herengawe ($10-$8).
BETS: Toryjoy $3,000 @ $3.30, $1,000 @ $3.30
BETS: Agassi $2,000 x $2,500 e/w @ $4.80/$1.70
BETS: Frankely Awesome $1,000 @ $8.50
BETS: Herengawe $1,000 @ $9, $2,000 @ $8.50, $1,000 @ $8.50 TWICE
RACE SIX
The consistent push for Man Of Peace paid dividends in the SKY Racing Active Handicap (1400 metres).
The Matthew Dale runner was $6 earlier in the week and had support but that continued today. Jumping a $4.20 second pick, Man Of Peace held 25 per cent of the total investment but that was half of what Handspun held.
Leading throughout with Louise Day in the saddle, Man Of Peace beat Spencer ($7) and Epic Dan ($16) with all three runners being on speed.
The market got it spot on about Handspun which was even money at one stage today but blew out to $2.70 at the finish. It was clearly the most popular horse.
BETS: Man Of Peace $2,000 @ $4.20, $2,500 @ $4,
BETS: Handspun $2,500 @ $2.50, $1,000 @ $2.40, $5,000 @ $2.25, $2,500 @ $2.25, $5,000 @ $2.10, $2,000 @ $2
BETS: Dio Doro $3,000 @ $6, $1,000 @ $6 TWICE
RACE SEVEN
Spaceboy lasted in a thrilling finish to take out the TAB Live Vision Handicap (1000 metres).
For most of the betting Spaceboy, which opened $2.40 favourite, had been a drifter and got to as much as $3.20 but a late rally saw it start $3.10 fav.
Black Magnum had been well tried since betting commenced on Wednesday. As much as $7 had been offered – he would jump a $3.50 second fav.
The other one they came for was Rosina Kojonup which bottomed out at around $4.20 before starting $5.
BETS: Spaceboy $3,500 @ $3.10, $1,000 @ $3.10 MULTIPLE TIMES, $2,000 @ $3
BETS: Witherspoon $2,500 @ $5.50, $2,500 @ $5
BETS: Rosina Kojonup $1,000 @ $5
BETS: Black Magnum $4,000 @ $3.50, $2,000 @ $3.40
RACE EIGHT
The move for Madam Legend paid dividends in the Ranvet Handicap (1400 metres).
Opening $11 on Wednesday, some consistent support saw it come into $8.50 this morning. More money throughout the afternoon saw another firm, this time $7 being offered at the jump.
Taken straight to the front by Ceejay Graham, the pair never looked like being beaten with the Les Bridge mare winning impressively.
Vitesse ($9-$5.50-$6) was well tried to score and gave backers a sight while Capri Of Tuffy ($17) filled the minor end of the prize.
Strawb, a $2.50 favourite in the morning, drifted out to $3.30 with the market spot on about the Nathan Doyle runner.
BETS: Madam Legend $1,000 @ $7 TWICE
BETS: Strawb $3,000 @ $3.40, $4,000 @ $3.20, $1,000 @ $3.20, $1,600 @ $2.60
BETS: Threeood $2,000 @ $7.50
BETS: Vitesse $1,000 @ $6 TWICE, $1,500 @ $5.50
RACE NINE
Zourhea defied the pattern of the day to come off the speed and win the Heineken 3 Handicap (1550 metres).
The Gerald Ryan runner had some solid each way support at the $13 but wasn’t one that really caught the eye of TAB customers.
Le Gai Soleil ($1.75-$2.30) got the wobbles in betting late but still attracted all the big money.
The two big firmers here were Assault’n’bathory ($34-$5.50) and Derbari ($6.50-$4.80-$5) with the pair running up to the support to fill the minors.
BETS: Le Gai Soleil $3,000 @ $2.30, $10,000 @ $2.20, $3,000 @ $2.20, $1,000 @ $2.20 MULTIPLE TIMES
BETS: Assault’n’bathory $1,400 @ $8, $1,000 @ $6.50
BETS: Derbari $1,500 @ $5
Originally published as Spaceboy emerges triumphant in galactic speed battle to the post