The new partnership of Xander and Corne Spies enjoyed an awesome start with a winner, a second and two third places from five runners at Turffontein on Saturday, 1 August – the new season off with a bang!
Spirit of Gabz was the stable highlight for the day in Race 9 over 1400m. He came up trumps after an exciting duel with fellow promising three-year-old, Rising Eagle, and ran powerfully to the line to win well under Trent Mayhew.
Spirit of Gabz powers home to victory on opening day
That he did it the hard way – from the front – was meritorious against mostly older rivals and apprentice Trent Mayhew said: “He has kept improving. We had the draw today and I knew we would get to the front easily.”
Xander Spies said that he was elated and extremely happy. “Not many trainers get as lucky to win on their first day so this is an euphoric moment. Trent rode Spirit of Gabz masterfully, I think he will go further and is a horse to watch for the future.”
Corne shared his son’s joy and commented: “I also took over from my father when I turned 30 years of age, like Xander. It’s a long time coming, and it’s wonderful to have the legacy go on.”
Corne thanked Spirit Of Gabz’s owners, a jolly and supportive group including Chris Brown, a stable stalwart based in the UK, Selina and Doubt Sibanda, originally from Zimbabwe, Vishen Mahabeer, Jay Soobiah, Pieter Viljoen, Lenny Pillay, Ajith Asaram, Rob MacNab and Xander Spies.
Spirit Of Gabz was bred by Bruce le Roux and Thinus Gericke at Blue Sky Thoroughbreds. He is by freshman Chimichuri Run, a Trippi stallion Corne has high praise for.