Spacewalk lands stakes win in Bob Charley AO Stakes
Luck hasn’t always favoured Spacewalk, but the Godolphin sprinter has been rewarded for his consistency with his first black-type success.
The gelding has had to settle for his fair share of stakes placings, including when he threw away almost certain victory in last year’s The Rosebud by ducking out, and again when losing the Poseidon Stakes in Melbourne to Buenos Noches on protest.
But the three-year-old finally got his turn in the sun with his triumph in Saturday’s Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m) at Randwick.
Spacewalk ($3.90) had to do it the hard way after travelling three-wide on the speed but had the tenacity to unleash a sharp turn of foot and hit the front, holding out last year’s winner Dragonstone ($15) by a short neck with Wewillrock ($3.60) third.
Godolphin spokesman Paul Reid said Spacewalk showed fortitude to overcome a wide run and upstage the older horses.
“It was good in that company to do it tough and beat those seasoned sprinters,” Reid said.
“This is a perfect time of the year for him and hopefully there is another couple of races for him.
“The Ramornie Handicap might suit him.”
With many of Sydney’s leading jockeys in Brisbane for the Stradbroke Handicap meeting, Godolphin called on Jean Van Overmeire to fill the void and partner their three Sydney runners.
Van Overmeire has been riding for Sheikh Mohammed’s team at the provincials since his recent return from Dubai and head trainer James Cummings was happy to give him an opportunity in town.
“James was quick to jump on him and said, ‘why don’t we book him for the day?'” Reid said.
“He deserved that win and so did the horse.”
For his part, Van Overmeire was thrilled to get a Listed win in the Royal Blue silks.
“We got the call up a couple of weeks ago and obviously I wasn’t going to say no,” Van Overmeire said.
“I elected to slide forward and get outside the two leading pairs in a three-wide spot but the way he was travelling was just phenomenal.
“He gave me a lot of confidence at the 400 and at the 300 when I gave him a squeeze, he quickened very well. It was quite impressive.”
More Racing News
Augustus and Desert Hero debut in Flemington feature
While the Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington doesn't carry the weight of the day's opening races, it has the potential to highlight future stars for major events ahead.Ciaron Maher will launch two newcomers from overseas in the Saturday 2000m race – Augustus and Desert Hero.Desert Hero already has Australian experience,...
Robbie Griffiths plans VRC Sires' Produce Stakes tilt with Almost An Angel
For the youngsters, the VRC Sires' Produce Stakes provides the debut opportunity to tackle a genuine journey.Now that the Blue Diamond Stakes, Victoria's top juvenile prize, has been run and captured last month, attention shifts for the fast two-year-olds to the Golden Slipper up in Sydney.Robbie Griffiths, however, set his...
Ipswich Friday features prepared Sir Maurice
With an advantageous claim on weight and a competitor set for a win, Jack Bruce is eager for Sir Maurice to perform at Ipswich this coming Friday.Marking his fifth run this campaign, the five-year-old offspring of champion Japanese sire Maurice enters the Great Northern Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m) for an...
Blinkers and McDonald for Hidrix in key Todman Stakes before Golden Slipper
Hidrix, once the top pick for the Golden Slipper, faces two major tweaks for his engagement in the Todman Stakes at Randwick: blinkers fitted and James McDonald in the saddle.Although McDonald guided stable companion Confederation during the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) Hidrix won and the Silver Slipper (1100m), he'll switch to...
Filly Caffe Florian emerges as next talent for Richard Litt
Though Richard Litt runs a modest team in numbers, he has proven adept at pinpointing quality performers.Responsible for training dual Group 1 champion Castelvecchio and Profondo's 2021 Spring Champion Stakes success, the Warwick Farm conditioner now seems to hold a fresh prospect in developing filly Caffe Florian.The three-year-old by Snitzel...
Waller's entrants set for All-Star Mile at Flemington
Leading handler Chris Waller embraces the All-Star Mile format since its promotion to Group 1.Launched back in 2019, the All-Star Mile moved between key Melbourne venues and mirrored Japan's Arima Kinen by letting the public choose their top pick.Changes were implemented in later years, and Waller entered sparingly.Securing Group 1...
Mark Zahra backs Tentyris to overcome weight in Newmarket
Mark Zahra, the jockey, doesn't see the allocated weight for Tentyris as a barrier to the colt capturing the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.To win the Group 1 1200m event at Flemington on Saturday, Tentyris must replicate the weight record set by Ajax back in 1938.The 57kg impost matches what Fastnet...
Freedman eyes Ninja's mile potential in Randwick Guineas
Michael Freedman counts on Ninja getting forward in the run as an essential element boosting his shot at the Group One Randwick Guineas.Unlike key challengers Autumn Boy and Attica, who prefer to come from off the pace, Ninja showed his flexibility in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) by tracking the pacesetter...
Experienced Coal Crusher set for Newcastle Stakes challenge
If Coal Crusher maintains his strong connection with the Newcastle venue, he could provide Joe Pride with an excellent beginning to his weekend on a prominent regional racing occasion.On a quick six-day freshen-up from his Liverpool City Cup (1300m) defeat at Randwick, the gelding lines up in Friday's Group 3...
Rawiller's decision spotlights Lady Shenandoah's Canterbury Stakes bid
With Ciaron Maher readying Gringotts for his seasonal reappearance in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick, another jockey has accidentally boosted the credentials of a prominent rival entrant.Nash Rawiller built an impressive alliance with Gringotts late in his previous campaign, notching successive wins in the Big Dance and The Gong.They were...