It doesn’t seem that long ago since the Nick Olive stable had star filly Single Gaze win the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and also finish second in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), but the stable looks to have another exciting filly in the shape of Group 3 MRC Ethereal Stakes (2000m) winner Spicy Lu.
Having won her first three starts at 2 highlighted by victory in the Listed Fernhill Handicap (1600m), the Queanbeyan trained filly finished her juvenile campaign when beaten just over three lengths in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes behind Nepotism.
Resuming at 3 behind Apocalyptic in the Group 2 Furious Stakes, the filly was shipped to Melbourne where she finished fourth two starts back in the Listed Jim Maloney Stakes before beaten just under four lengths in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes.
From barrier 12 in the 13-horse field, Spicy Lu was away well from the gates before heading forward to eventually find the lead for jockey Nash Rawiller as race favourite Just A Journey settled in third position.
Controlling the race throughout, Rawiller maintained an even tempo and when the runs started to come from those behind him, the Sydney based jockey asked for an effort from his filly as they turned for home.
As a run presented itself for Just A Journey and it looked as if she would challenge the leader, Spicy Lu kicked, and while she drifted out late, she held a winning length margin over the favourite on the line.
Working home well into third was last start VRC Oaks (1800m) preview winner After Summer just ahead of Classic Gem would looks a likely Oaks contender.
“Running second in the Caulfield Cup with Single Gaze was probably the biggest thrill of my career, but it’s great to get a win down here, she's just had no luck in her runs down here, it’s been so frustrating,” said Olive post-race. “Great to get the job done today.”
“He's the best at riding them like that he is, and when I came out and said, this is what I want to do, he said, yep, I’m on with you, great ride from Nash.”
“I haven't got big money to spend, but she's a Magic Millions buy, paid 30,000. So, she’s been a great little filly, and the team at home has done a great job with that.
“Tony's here, Tony Blackshaw. He's been a big supporter of mine. He lives in Melbourne, so it's great that he can share this.”
Questioned if the Oaks was the ultimate goal for his filly, Olive was always planning her campaign that way.
“I have had it at the back of my mind, for sure. I just wanted to come and sort of aim for some of these races down in Melbourne. As I said, we've had no luck, but you know everything's worth it today after winning this.”
Asked if she will tackle the Wakeful, or wait for the Oaks, Olive said he would wait for the dust to settle before a decision is made.
“I'll sum that up over the next week I think, there's not much of her, but she is a really tough horse, so we'll make a decision on that next week.”
With a quality book of rides at Caulfield, Rawiller was really proud of the run of Spicy Lu.
“I must say, she had more control of me for the first three-or-four hundred,” said Rawiller. “I really had to bring her back there halfway up the hill and to her credit she kept that lovely momentum and rhythm and she was tough as nails.
“I’m really proud of her, first up at 2000 (metres), she’s shown what she’s really made of. She’s shown us before at Randwick and it’s great to see her bounce back to form in the Spring Carnival.
“She’ll definitely run an Oaks trip, she’s tough as nails. I’m sure that’s what Nick’s thinking, good on them, they’ve got a nice horse.
Taking her record to four wins from eight starts and earnings of $319,875, it is great return on investment for Olive who purchased the filly for just $30,000 from the Book 2 draft of Vinery Stud at the Magic Millions yearling sale.
Bred by the Esplin family, Spicy Lu is the best of three winners from All Salsa, a metro winning Charge Forward mare that comes from an international female family tracing back to Champion European 3YO Filly Salsabil.
Unfortunately, All Salsa died after producing just one more foal, a filly named Added Spice, an unraced 2yo daughter of Darley’s Victor Ludorum (GB) in the Ballarat stable of Henry Dwyer.
The best of four stakes performers for Group 1 Blue Diamond winter Tagaloa, the son of Lord Kanaloa (JPN) is standing at a fee of $22,000 (inc. GST) at Yulong.