Smart mare ready for the top grade

Spellbinder has already made her mark at the elite level and she is on track to take advantage of two further opportunities in Group One company.

The genuine mare came off a lengthy lay-off to finish runner-up behind the well-performed Recite on her home track last month and she went one better in the open sprint at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Although only faced by four opponents, Spellbinder put them away with ease with a length and a quarter to spare on Dont Gloat, the winner of four of his previous five starts, and the current Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes champion Sports Illustrated.

“She was nicely in at the weights (54kgs) and it was a very good win,” trainer Jason Bridgman said.

“Her first-up performance was very encouraging and we were quietly confident of a big effort from her.

“We were fortunate that it was race one of the day, as the track had a really nice bit of cushion and she let down beautifully.”

Bridgman now has his sights set on the Gr.1 Fiber Fresh New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes at Te Aroha on April 4 and the Gr.1 Manco Easter Handicap a fortnight later at Ellerslie.

“She looks right on target now for these races and a mile is her pet trip,” said Bridgman.

Spellbinder has won five of her 11 starts, including the Listed Soliloquy Stakes and the Listed Karaka 3YO Mile.

She was also third last season in the Gr.1 NZ 1000 Guineas and runner-up in the Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic.