Winner: Spacecraft (Galileo-Demanding)
Race: SAJC Penny Edition Stakes LR (1400m)
Sold for: $85,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Racetree
Buyer: Peter Caporn
Earnings: $163,238
Owner(s): PR & Mrs KJ Caporn & BL & Mrs JM McRostie
Trainer: Mick Price (Caulfield)
Caulfield Cup ambitions for classy four-year-old Spacecraft received a great boost on Saturday when he won the listed Penny Edition Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville.
An entire by Galileo, Spacecraft gave his connections plenty to cheer about when he notched his first stakes success at his second start for a new stable.
He was sent out one of the leading chances in the race after an eye catching first up effort in the recent Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington.
New trainer Mick Price, watching from Caulfield, was impressed with the win and also the heady front running ride from Group One winning hoop Dean Holland.
“He’s only an 85 rate – he was in a 1400 metre handicap here (at Caulfield) and he didn’t get a run so that (in Adelaide) was our back up race,” Price said.
“I’ve got a good opinion of him. Now being a weight-for-age winner I’m hoping his rating goes up so that he can get off the minimum in handicaps.”
“I think his best distance is 2000 metres and I’m hoping it’s 2400 metres.”
“Hopefully I can find a 2000 metre handicap race for him and then get a run in the Caulfield Cup – that’s the way I want to go.”
“He’s a lovely Galileo galloper. He’s good winded. It was a really good in today.”
Price was impressed with the way Dean Holland rode his four-year-old in the Adelaide feature.
“We drew 10 and I wanted to be outside the speed. And he said, what about if we lead.”
“I said – I’m pretty sure that will be okay because from memory he’s not a stargazer when he’s out in front.”
“We’ve spent a lot of time in getting him to relax – he’s a very tenacious horse when you work him with company.”
Spacecraft ($4.60) cruised home to beat Magical Pearl ($11) by a length and three quarters.
Viking Turf Belle ($21) was third home, a further length and a quarter back.
Xaieta ($10) was fourth ahead of last year’s Melbourne Cup favourite Alcopop ($6.50) while the favourite Majestic Music ($3.20) paddled in the straight to finish seventh.
Spacecraft was purchased by senior part owner Peter Caporn for $85,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The Racetree sold youngster has already earned over $163,000, is still a colt and has Group One spring features on his radar. He certainly looks another great value buy from the Gold Coast.
Spacecraft is one of two stakes winners for his dam, the twice Perth winning Octagonal mare Demanding.
As well as Spacecraft she is the dam of the dual stakes winner and WA Derby placed Phenomenons.
Demanding herself is a half sister to three stakes gallopers including multiple stakes winner Victory Dash. She is from a stakes winner in Sydney as well.
Her latest yearling, a filly by Danehill’s record breaking sire son Rock of Gibraltar, has been entered for the 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by the team from Racetree.
PICS – Jenny Barnes.
