Apprentice Ryan Hill scored the biggest win of his career when, after a heady ride, he partnered New Spice to a longshot win in the listed Tattersall’s Cup (2100m) at Ascot today.
Hill won the race when he sent the longshot for home approaching the turn and then was left to celebrate when under his urgings the talented galloper held off his rivals for a brave win.
Part time trainer Elva Van Merwyk was all smiles in the winner’s stall after her $61 pop (over $100 on the TAB) saluted by a length and three quarters.
“He’s been working really well,” Van Merwyk said. “He’s back to his old self again.”
“We’re just taking it week by week and seeing how far we can go with him.”
“He’s had a lot of issues, too many – we’ve saved his life a couple of times – but he’s worth it!”
Van Merwyk purchased New Spice for $18,000 from the Peters Investments draft at the 2006 Magic Millions Key Farm Dispersal Sale at Belmont.
“I bought him from Bob (Peters) as a two-year-old, almost three he was – he’s been fantastic.”
“He spent a year in Melbourne with Brian Mayfield-Smith and won his first race over there and ran a couple of other placings.”
“He came home with lots of issues. Problems with his feet and legs and hocks and he had colic and was about five minutes away from being operated on.”
“He’s back in great shape and he’s even gone back to his old personality when he had no problems when he was a three-year-old.”
“Ryan (Hill) my apprentice has just been working wonders with him – a lot of thanks go to him.”
Van Merwyk’s $18,000 purchase from the Magic Millions sale ring has proved a masterstroke with New Spice’s earnings having now raced past $470,000.
New Spice, bred by Bob and Sandra Peters, is one of two stakes winners produced by the exceptionally well related and city performed Danehill mare Legal Consent.
As well as New Spice, Legal Consent has thrown the recent WA Derby and Oaks winner Dreamaway – a six time winner and earner to date of over $747,000.
Legal Consent is a half sister to the multiple Group One winner Miss Margaret – the dam of Karrakatta Plate winner Confront and stakes performers Seafarer and Rafferty.
Other stakes winners close up in the pedigree include Parriwi, Chiming Knight, Bellota, Lord Reims, Instant Policy and Rocket Racer.
New Spice is one of 23 stakes winners for the Perth stakes winning Kaoru Star sire Old Spice – now best known as an influential broodmare sire.
Winner: New Spice
Breeding: Old Spice-Legal Consent (Danehill)
Race: WATC Tattersall’s Cup LR (2100m)
Sold for: $18,000
Sale: 2006 Magic Millions Key Farm Dispersal Sale
Vendor: Peters Investments
Buyer: Elva Van Merwyk
Earnings: $470,925
Owner(s): Mrs EA Van Merwyk & MD MacDonald
Trainer: Elva Van Merwyk (Keysbrook)
