3 minute read
Tasbred race gave trainer Yassy Nishitani and family a big payday.
When it comes to young horses there is no substitute for race experience and that's how it panned out in the 2YO Maiden over 1100m in Launceston on Wednesday night when the Yassy Nishitani-trained The Spirit Of Zero broke his maiden status over 1100 metres.
As the only one of the six with race experience the Needs Further gelding came from back in the field to storm past the race leaders and score by a half-length from first-starters Johnnie Pinch ($21) and race favourite La Virago ($1.90) that led but tired at the business end.
The Spirit of Zero ($4.20) debuted in Devonport a month earlier for a game second to Popilita and it proved to be the telling factor in Wednesday night's win.
Nishitani was thrilled with the win, especially that it was a Tasbred Bonus race that had a $20,000 bonus attached to the stake, of which the winner's share was almost $17,000, making it a $33,000 payday for the owners with an additional $4,000 for the breeder.
As the trainer's wife Ayana bred the gelding and has a share in the horse, it was a handy payday for the family.
"I was a bit disappointed he didn't win on debut, but he needed the race experience," Nishitani said.
"Tonight, he looked like he was awake and ready to go and that race experience gave him the edge."
Nishitani said he would wait and see how the gelding pulled up before deciding on running him in the $150,000 Gold Sovereign Stakes on 5 February.
"He is a very nice horse with a future, but he might already be looking for a spell, so we will wait and see how he feels in a week and then make a decision on where we go from here."
