Haunui Farm’s Australian racing focus will switch in the short term to Full Of Spirit following the retirement of another Group One performer to sport their colours.
Runner-up in last year’s Gr.1 Makfi Challenge Stakes, Full Of Spirit is a Saturday acceptor in both the $A175,000 Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) and an $A85,000 handicap over 2000 metres at Rosehill.
Haunui studmaster Mark Chitty said on Wednesday a decision had yet to be made where the Flying Spur mare would run.
“She’s placed at her last two and hopefully she can break through wherever she goes. She will have a few more runs before she goes to the breeding shed this spring.”
Acapela, also co-bred and part-owned by the farm, will contest an $A85,000 handicap at Rosehill where the Chris Waller-trained mare will kick off a new preparation over 1400 metres.
Meanwhile, Haunui has brought the curtain down on the career of Floria, who bowed out in dream fashion with her victory in the Gr.2 Brisbane Cup.
Under Stephen McKee’s early guidance, the mare won the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes and was a multiple Group Two and Three placegetter before she joined Peter Moody’s Caulfield yard.
Floria added the Gr.3 Summoned Stakes in Australia in the spring and collected a number of prestige race placings, including a third in the Gr.1 Tattersall’s Tiara, before her decisive win at Eagle Farm last weekend.
“That was her third run in three weeks and she hasn’t got anything left to prove,” Chitty said.
“We delayed her going to stud last year because she was doing such a good job with Peter and she’s really added to her CV.
“She’ll be bred in Australia in the spring – I’m not sure which stallion and I haven’t had the phone ring from any studs yet! She’s a lovely Savabeel mare with a pedigree to suit a lot of stallions so there are plenty of options."
