The daughter of Savabeel arrived at Randwick after her three-year-old season
where she'd placed in the Group II WA Guineas. Spirit Bird had won just one of
her 15 starts in the west.Two solid barrier trial performances indicated a strong showing was possible from the mare, who was solidly backed on-course, firming from$13 into $9.
Jumping from the outside gate in the field of 13, Spirit Bird drifted back towards the tail of the field but was unable to get any closer than three wide, with cover provided by Kellyville Flyer.
The race was run at a strong gallop and on straightening, Spirit Bird found herself toward the outside rail with the mares spread across the track mounting their claims.
While local hope Savoureux was having no luck strung up behind runners, Mona Lisa Stakes winner Fitou and Spirit Bird started chime in out wide with the latter doing the best over the final 100 metres.
"She was pretty impressive,” Cummings said. "She's got a bit of class about her.
"That was a big effort to be wide throughout over 1350 metres first-up. She cruised into it and unleashed a great finishing burst.
"She's a Group III winner now so it's a big result.”Glyn Schofield piloted Spirit Bird to a long neck win over the John O'Shea-trained Fitou ($5 equal fav) with the luckless Savoureux ($5 equal fav) a half-length back in third.
Cummings said the Group III Angst Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 8 is Spirit Bird's likely next destination but the ease of her win could result in a rethink.
"We'll probably take her to the Angst next but there are plenty of other options on the horizon so there may be some nominations for greater races.” he said.
Spirit Bird is by Savabeel out of Press Leak, a US bred mare by Rock Of Gibraltar and was offered at the 2014 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, in the draft of Brighthill Farm but failed to sell.
Press Leak has a 2yo by Azamour which was also passed in in the NZB Select Sale this year, a yearling by Dalghar and was served by Dalghar again last season.
