SPIN DOCTOR DELIVERS AT FORBURY
Spin Doctor, who provided the Mark Jones stable with the first win of the new term at Forbury Park on Thursday, August 16, has the breeding and potential to develop further.
He brought up 50 NZ wins for the progeny of his top-producing dam Janetta’s Pride (Gee Whiz II-Zola), who won three times herself when prepared in the early 1990s by the late Pat O’Reilly sen.
Spin Doctor, who delivered easily despite losing a big stretch of ground early, is the eighth individual winner from nine to race for his dam.
He is a brother to the illustrious Group Race winners, Dependable (14 NZ wins for $154,917, 1:59.2, US), Jo Anne (12 wins, 1:58.5), Ima Gold Digger (15 wins, $362,328, 1:57.6) and Shirley Temple (three wins incl. 2007 NZ Trotting Derby).
Now six, the Sundon gelding is raced on lease from breeders Keith and Bevan Grice by Kyle “Jock” and Wendy Austin, along with Gavin and Sharon Glover.
Jock prepared Spin Doctor for his first four starts. He races in Jock Austin’s sign-writing business colours _ silver, with the AllSignedUp logo.
Jock earlier co-owned the smart free-legged pacer Nutwood, who won eight races when prepared and co-owned by Jock’s father, Mike, in the mid 1990s. The Nero’s BB gelding was subsequently sold to race in North America, taking a 1:50.6 mile mark.
Once balanced up by catch-driver Blair Orange, Spin Doctor made short work of his opposition.
He recovered to be within striking range of the leaders over the final 1000m and came clear to win untouched by two and a-half lengths in 2:57.6 for the stand start 2200m.
Stablemate Electric Ollie (Ricky May) rallied strongly for second to Wot The Owl in the viv Anngow _ Life Members Pace, but the winner had established a winning margin turning for home.
Wot The Owl, who held by three lengths in 2:43.1 for the mobile 2200m, was claimed out of the Archie Armour stable by fellow Southland trainer Tom Kilkelly.