Best yet to come from Group One filly

Courageous filly Spellbinder became O’Reilly’s latest Group One performer when she finished third in today’s NZ Bloodstock 1000 Guineas. She sat outside the leader to the turn before being left in front and stuck grimly to her task down the long Riccarton straight.

Trainer Jason Bridgman, who also saddled the winner Costa Viva, was proud of Spellbinder’s performance and said the best was yet to come from the filly. “She was very game and she showed a lot of heart on a track that was a bit too good for her. When you see her up to 2000 metres at Ellerslie at Christmas time she’ll be a special filly.”

Spellbinder was unbeaten in her first two starts, including a Listed victory in the Soliloquy Stakes by a wide margin. She had rounded off her Guineas preparation with a runner-up finish in the Gr 3 Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa.

Recent News
27 November 2023

Savabeel 3YO makes impressive debut

A well-related son of Champion Sire Savabeel made the perfect start to his career at Kilmore on Sunday afternoon. The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Interlinked made his debut over 1450 metres in the hands …

Read More
25 November 2023

Rudyard powers to Pukekohe victory

The Tony Pike-trained Rudyard produced a storming late finish at Pukekohe on Saturday afternoon to account for his Rating 65 rivals over 1600 metres. The son of Charm Spirit had finished an encouraging fourth when …

Read More