Quality winter sprinter Spencer (NZ) (Derryn) showed he is just as adept on a better surface as he is on the deep winter footing when he bounced back to winning form with a comprehensive performance to take out the CR Grace Ltd & Waterforce Handicap (1200m) at Trentham.
The Erin Hocquard-prepared six-year-old hasn’t had things go all his way during his current campaign including finishing near the rear in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) a Te Rapa last month after being trapped wide most of the way..
Hocquard was prepared to forgive the son of Derryn and a win over 850m at the Foxton trials on Tuesday indicated he was ready to perform on his favourite Trentham track, a venue where he had won two of his three starts prior to Saturday.
Apprentice Sienna Brown made good use of her 4kg apprentice claim to reduce Spencer’s impost down to 58kgs and had him travelling comfortably on the outer of runners as he tracked pacemaker Farravallo (NZ) (Belardo) into the home straight.
Given his head at the 300m by Brown, the strapping gelding powered clear to win comfortably by just on a length from Bold Belle (NZ) (The Bold One) and Marotiri Molly (NZ) (Per Incanto) on the Soft6-rated surface.
Hocquard was thrilled to see her charge back at the head of affairs after his mixed form of late.
“He has been a bit unlucky with how things have gone as he has been trapped out wide and has had some big trips away,” Hocquard said.
“Nothing has really gone to plan like it did last year where it all just fell into place.
“Hopefully this will now give him a bit of confidence.
“I was happy with his trial and just hoped he hadn’t left it there. Sienna rode him really well last time at Te Rapa so why not put her back on and get the nice claim.
“I‘m really happy as I was starting to wonder what it was like to have a winner.”
Bred and part-owned by Taranaki horseman Aidan Schumacher, Spencer has now won eight of his 25 starts, including the Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa last year and just under $280,000 in prizemoney.