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Source: justhorseracing.com.au
Soul Of Spain could have Group One targets in mind after prevailing in Friday’s Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2350m).
The progressive stayer gave trainer Chris Waller a remarkable seventh win in 11 years in the race, just one shy of hall of fame trainer Gai Waterhouse who has eight.
The $2.45 favourite settled behind the speed for jockey Zac Lloyd and drove hard along the inside to score by half a length from Royal Supremacy with another Waller runner Travolta just a neck back in third.
Stable representative for the Waller yard Zane Jones said Soul Of Spain continues to improve having been successful at Ipswich and Doomben this time in.
“Every time Chris raises the bar, he just seems to jump through it,” Jones said.
“He’s got plenty of upside, he’s lightly raced, he’s continuing to build a good record.
“It was a run full of merit the other day, and we were under no illusions that it was a harder assignment today, but he’s passed with flying colours.”
With the win, Soul Of Spain is into $6 equal favourite for the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) on October 4th.
Lloyd said Soul Of Spain had proven his adaptability in various scenarios which would hold him in good stead.
“He’s a pleasure to ride,” Lloyd said.
“With such a slow tempo, I thought it could favour the other runners in the race but he quickened very well and never felt like getting beat.”