Trish Dunell
Group One performer Wyndspelle will do his future racing out of Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard’s stable.
The Iffraaj four-year-old joined their Otaki operation on his recent return from a successful stint in Australia.
“He arrived here last week after a good spell,” Benner said. “He’s in light work and we might look at the Foxbridge Plate with him.
“He’s a very good-looking colt and we’re obviously still learning about him.”
Wyndspelle began his career with Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs and was a two-year-old winner and finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Diamond Stakes (1200m).
Last season, he won the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) and placed in both the Gr.2 Sarten Memorial (1400m) and Listed Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
Wyndspelle subsequently joined Mick Kent’s Cranbourne stable and, while he failed to add to his winning account, he showed his quality when third in the Gr.1 Kennedy Mile (1600m) at Flemington during the Melbourne spring carnival.
His arrival has further bolstered the stable’s exciting line-up for the spring.
“We’ve probably got the best team of horses we’ve ever had,” Benner said.
Top prospect Scott Base will return to work this week to begin his build-up toward Group One targets at the Hastings carnival.
“He’s spelled really well and the three races at Hawke’s Bay fits his profile,” Benner said. “The 1400m will suit him and then 1600m and 2000m are even better – that’s the ultimate and he’s a pretty versatile sort of horse.”
Scott Base claimed top honours in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) and the Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) during his summer and autumn preparation. – NZ Racing Desk.