Emotional win for part-owner of Spur Le Jouer

Eigi lost his brother-in-law earlier in the week after a long battle with illness.

WINNER: Jockey Damian Browne rides Spur Le Jouer to win the Winter Provisional Sprinters Handicap. Picture: ALBERT PEREZ

RACING: Spur Le Jouer's brilliant Caloundra win on Saturday had extra significance for glassy-eyed part-owner Paul Eigi after a sad week for his family.

Eigi lost his brother-in-law earlier in the week after a long battle with illness.

"He loved following the horses and out of all the ones I owned, this was his favourite,” Eigi said.

"There was something about this race that he was meant to win I think. When I found out on Wednesday that he had passed away, I got off the phone and saw the email from Stuey (Kendrick) sitting there about Spur Le Joeur accepting to run in this race.

"To win this race is very emotional because of how much he liked this horse.”

TRACKSIDE: Paul Eigi and trainer Stuart Kendrick. Picture: Contributed

Kendrick paid tribute to Eigi and his family after the race as well.

"It's obviously been a tough week, so it's nice this horse has been able to win for them,” Kendrick said.

The Sunshine Coast trainer has had his best season with 84 winners to date and finds himself in the National Top 20.

It has been a frustrating carnival in some ways, as he had five stakes placings with Italia Bella (twice), Banda Spice, Rare Occurrence and Marseille En Fleur, without managing to break through.

Saturday looked like being a similar story with Deitch running second and Raja Ampat fourth before Spur Le Joeur lobbed in the last.