Deserved Waikato Guineas win for Wyndspelle (NZ)

Karaka graduate Wyndspelle (NZ) (Iffraaj) is one of the most consistent horses of his generation, and he scored a richly deserved win in Saturday’s $100,000 Group 2 Darci Brahma Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa.

Purchased for $75,000 at the 2015 Select Sale, Wyndspelle showed his class early in his career with a stylish maiden win around this time last year. Since then he has taken on the very best in almost every start, running second in the Group 1 Diamond Stakes (1200m), seventh in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), third in the Listed Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), fifth in the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), third in the Group 2 Sarten Memorial (1400m), fifth in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and fifth in the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m). On almost all of those occasions he produced a flying finish that was just a bit too late.

Saturday was Wyndspelle’s day in the sun. With Jason Waddell in the saddle, the Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs-trained runner raced closer to the leaders on this occasion before bounding to the lead in the straight. He kicked clear of the pace-making Shocking Luck (NZ) (Shocking) and scored by half a length at the line.

“He deserved that – he has been unlucky on so many occasions and had a run of bad barriers,” Logan said. “We were quietly confident. From the draw he got a beautiful trip and a beautiful ride and he got the job done.

“He can switch off and show a kick and not many can do that. He's not a big horse, but he's got a big motor and a big heart.”

Five of the last six Waikato Guineas winners have gone on to win the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie, and Logan confirmed that Wyndspelle will now head in that direction.

Bred by Mrs S D Hart, Wyndspelle is out of the High Chaparral mare Western Star (NZ) – a half-sister to stakes winners Lady Alberton (NZ) (Golan) and Alberton Park (NZ) (Thorn Park).

Wyndspelle was offered by Hallmark Stud at the 2015 Select Sale, where bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo secured him for $75,000.

Owned by J Frew, S Hanna, Jen Campin Bloodstock Ltd and N P Randles, Wyndspelle has now had 12 starts for two wins, six placings and prize-money of $163,775.

Hallmark also offered a half-sibling to Wyndspelle at Karaka 2017, with a Makfi colt failing to meet his $45,000 reserve in the Select session (Lot 494).