Specular On Track for Cup Hurdle

Saturday, 28 September 2002 00:00

"Economical" jumper Specular is on track for Monday week's Cup Hurdle at Flemington after he scored a dashing win in the $60,500 Spring Quality Hurdle (3200m) in driving rain at Moonee Valley this afternoon.

After stalking the last start Moonee Valley winner Piermont in the early stages, the beautifully bred son of Danehill went to the front a long from home and then held out all the challenges to win strongly.

Specular (Danehill-Spyglass), who is a half brother to the Group One winner Iron Horse, made it four jumps wins from five starts in today's race.

"He's a very economical jumper," winning trainer Tony Rosolini said moments after the gelding scored. "I thought he may have been a run short actually. He's right on track for the Cup Hurdle now."

Rosolini purchased the then five-year-old earlier this year for just $25,000 at a mixed thoroughbred sale.

Winning jockey, the former South Australian Bill Williams told Rosolini the gelding was travelling too well when he went to the front.

"He was cruising," Williams reported. "I wasn't even asking him to go when he hit the front."

Since joining Rosolini's stable Specular has won hurdle races at Caulfield, Sandown and now Moonee Valley.

Rosolini added after the race that today's result further emphasised the need for jumpers in this era to possess plenty of ability on the flat.

While the winner was by Danehill the second and third placegetters were by his great New Zealand based rival Zabeel.

PICS - Quentin Lang.