Cambridge trainer Ben Foote now has a Derby prospect on his hands following the success of his lightly tried three-year-old Loosespender (Turn Me Loose) in the Gr.2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas at Te Rapa yesterday.

Foote trains and part-owns Loosespender, whose rapid progression continued in this important 2000m Classic prep race at just his third race day appearance.

A son of successful young sire Turn Me Loose (Iffraaj), Loosespender has now earned a $12 quote for the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), though a Classic tilt has yet to be confirmed.

“He’s a big strong horse and it’s quite obvious we’ll have to go to the Avondale Guineas (Gr.2, 2100m),” Foote said.

“From there we’ll make a decision on a late nomination for the Derby, it’s $30,000 so it’s not cheap and the next run will tell us what we’re going to do.”

Loosespender was a debut winner at Hawera on Christmas Eve and has come a long way in just six weeks, demonstrating his staying promise at his second start when fourth in the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Pukekohe.

“He got a bit lost and when he hit the front at Pukekohe he ran around a bit before he kicked back again. He’s definitely a decent horse and I was confident today.”

Bred by Awapuni identity Vivienne Kaye, Loosespender was purchased out of Beckam Equine’s draft at Karaka for $60,000 by Hong Kong operation Upper Bloodstock and raced by them with the Stride Racing Club Syndicate and Foote.

“Ross Lau and Andy Lau (no relation) drove down from Karaka after the sale to be here and they are all good mates of mine so it was awesome,” Foote said.

Loosespender began well from the outside barrier to take up a handy spot and, after striking the front early in the run home, he quickened well in testing conditions to score comfortably by 1-1/2 lengths from Devildom (Almanzor) and Savoir Faire (Savabeel) with the favourite Waitak (Proisir) making late headway for fourth.

“He’s got a bit to learn, but he settled beautifully today. I asked Ben what do you want me to do and he said don’t be back and the horse jumped so well and put himself right there,” successful rider Kozzi Asano said.

“I just kept him rolling and he didn’t mind the track. The favoured horses came around and tried to get us, but he kicked again and it was so good.”

 

Yearlings by Turn Me Loose in upcoming sales:

1 lot at Inglis Classic Yearling Sale

7 lots at Inglis Premier Yearling Sale

1 lot at MM Adelaide Yearling Sale