News

Zac Shows Plenty Of Spirit In Singapore

16th Feb 2014

Inglis graduates Zac Spirit and Holy Empire fought out a stirring battle the Singapore Group 3 Three Rings Trophy over 1400m at Kranji on Sunday evening with only a neck separating the progressive pair on the line.

Zac Spirit (Flying Spur x Kidman) was sent out the odds on favourite for the day’s feature event at the Singapore Turf Club. As a previous Group winner Holy Empire was forced to carry 2.5kgs more than his rival, but he kicked strongly on the home turn to make Zac Spirit chase all the way to a gain a narrow victory at the finish.

"Holy Empire kicked first, but my horse went to him easy. The two horses fought out the finish and my horse [Zac Spirit] just got the better in the end," said winning jockey Alan Munro.

Purchased by trainer Cliff Brown for $140,000 from the draft of Newhaven Park Stud at the 2011 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Zac Spirit is the fifth foal of Group 2 placed mare Kidman.

At the time of the sale Brown was training Kidman’s third foal, Zac Influence, which would go on to Group 3 success later in 2011. Kidman hails from the family of Newhaven Park Stud’s former stallion Zeditave.

After Sunday’s victory Brown indicated he’d keep Zac Spirit to the sprint distances for the time being.

"He came into this race underdone and there is still a long way to go, but I’m very proud of him because the second horse is a very good horse," said Cliff Brown.

"I’ve always felt he just needs a 1200m when the pace is really on. He just switches off better then and then he just sprints home. The Kranji Sprint is his next race," added Brown.

Zac Spirit’s record now stands at six wins and three placings from ten starts. His only unplaced effort was a fourth at Group 1 level. The son of Flying Spur has earned over S$450,000 for his connections.

Newhaven Park, breeders and sellers of Zac Spirit, have 14 yearlings set to be offered at the 2014 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling in Sydney on 8, 9 and 10 April.

Flying Spur is set to be represented by nine yearlings at the Easter Sale in April plus 10 yearlings at this year’s Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale that will conducted at Oaklands on 2, 3, 4 and 5 March 2014.

Among the 775 lots at the upcoming Melbourne Premier Sale is the half-sister to Holy Empire. The filly by Encosta de Lago will be offered by Kornong Stud Farm as Lot 222 during the ‘Blue Riband’ Session on Day Two of sale.

Both the Melbourne Premier and Sydney Easter catalogues can be viewed online at www.inglis.com.au and on the Inglis Sales iPad App. Hard-copy catalogues can be requested by email to catalogue@inglis.com.au