Spirit Song (pictured ridden by Brad Rawiller) is set to run against the in-form More Joyous.
HONEST Warrnambool mare Spirit Song may line up against Gai Waterhouse’s wonder mare More Joyous in the $400,000 group 1 Toorak Stakes (1600 metres) at Caulfield next Saturday, October 13.
Aaron Purcell, who puts the polish on Spirit Song, said a start in the Toorak Stakes was an option as he was considering running the five-year-old in the $1 million group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) or the $500,000 group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington on November 3.
“If we go down the path of the Toorak Stakes, we will probably run against More Joyous,” he said.
“She’s won 21 races and got more than $4 million in stakemoney next to her name.
“More Joyous is pure class, but we might have to go down the Toorak path to get to our final goal.
“The Mackinnon Stakes is a definite option for us now.
“I think she is looking to run out a solid 2000 metres. She’s settling a lot better in her races.
“She used to rip and tear in her races. She’s a lot more settled down now.”
The Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase-winning trainer said he was pleased with Spirit Song’s runs at her three starts this preparation.
“She ran fifth at her first run this time in and second at her next two runs,” he said.
“I thought it was a good run last Saturday at Caulfield. She’s come through that race really well. She’s just so honest.
“I had thought of running her in the Myer Classic, but I think the distance of the race may be a bit short for her at that stage of her preparation.
“I just reckon she’s looking for a bit more ground now. The Mackinnon Stakes and the Myer Classic will be tough races to win.
“We’re trying to get more black type into her pedigree. She’s won at group 2 level but to have black type at group 1 level would be a big bonus for her breeding career.”
Spirit Song has scored six of her seven victories with Purcell and has earned more than $450,000 in stakemoney for her connections.