A classy field of synthetic specialists assembled at Riccarton Park in search of the rich spoils on offer in the inaugural Ripple Creek Equine Polytrack $100,000 (1200m), but the glory went the way of local trainers Russell McKay and Ashley Harrington with Spartan(NZ) (War Decree).
A winner of his maiden on the synthetic early last year, Spartan had proven himself in strong company on turf over the summer and was targeted at the feature back in May, with the father-daughter training partnership electing to run him in a fresh state.
Plenty of talent had travelled south from the Central Districts, including $4.20 race-favourite Kana, who looked a big danger after a convincing win on the course a fortnight ago.
Spartan also had plenty of support late in the market closing at $6.70 and jockey Tegan Newman showed intent early from the extreme outside barrier, pushing forward to take the lead over Showbastian Coe and Motiontime.
Finding a powerful kick off the home turn, Spartan kept finding down the straight and was too strong for a fast-finishing Kana with the final margin a half-length, while Miss Nico Belle was game into third.
Newman was full of praise for the imposing five-year-old, indicating the best is still yet to come.
“That’s a massive buzz,” she said.
“I’ve always said it’s quite scary, he’s got the ability there, but he just doesn’t know how fast he is yet. He’s just a big baby.
“Today, that was phenomenal. He’s come from the outside barrier and he still had more at the line too which is the exciting thing about him.
“He was a little bit slow away, he’s normally quite quick but it ended up working out because the speed to my inner ended up pulling back.
“They’ve (McKay and Harrington) been so loyal to me and they’re such good people to ride for, so to get a win like that is a really good feeling.”
Harrington was equally delighted, particularly for McKay who she joined in partnership at the beginning of the 2020/21 season.
“He (Spartan) did so well, we had a plan to go forward and it all worked out,” she said.
“He didn’t jump the gates that well, but when he hit the ground, he hit the ground running and they let him away with it. He tries so hard and Tegan loves him just as much as we do.
“Dad works so hard and he’s been doing it for so many years so to have a good horse like this is pretty cool.”
The pair are among the ownership group of the son of War Decree, who has now earned more than $158,000 in stakes with four wins from 16 starts.
His Falkirk dam, Sweet Revenge, also produced seven-race winner Sea Shepherd.