Good track the key to Spright’s win in 2018 W.J. Healy Stakes

A dry racing surface and a good barrier saw Spright return to the winner’s stall in the Group 3 $175,000 W.J. Healy Stakes (1200m) at Doomben today.

Spright had to contend with rain affected tracks at her two Brisbane starts during the Winter Racing Carnival and she never really threatened last start when sixth on a heavy 8 in the Group 2 $200,000 Bundaberg Rum Dane Ripper Stakes (1350m) at Doomben a fortnight ago.

Trainer Garry Frazer said that back on top of the ground and a good barrier where the ingredients that saw Spright find the winner’s stall for the first time in five starts.

“She has had two runs up here on wet track and gone good but today a dry track, a good barrier, a good rider,” Frazer said.

Michael Cahill settled Spright ($8.50) in the second half of the field from barrier six before bringing her to the outside in the straight with an uninterrupted run to the line to beat the $4 favourite Tumbler and Havasay ($17).

Frazer took Spright back to his Hawkesbury base after her last start in the Dane Ripper Stakes and said the mare really relished being back in her own environment before returning to Queensland for the W.J. Healy Stakes.

“I took her home for ten days after her last run because Jordan, who has looked after her the whole time here said that she was just not that happy because there is nowhere to put her out,” Frazer said.

“She goes out in a paddock at home.”

“So we took her home and I thought I will do nothing with her and I worked her on Saturday last with the blinkers on and she absolutely flew.”

“I really think she is a fresh horse and probably 1200m is her caper.”

Frazer will now give Spright a nice break before mapping out a Melbourne Spring program for her.

“She will go out for a spell now and there are a few good races in Melbourne for mares so we will do that.”

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