Well Bred Wandjina Colt Breaks Maiden

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday September 1

Only a month into the new season and we saw Robbie Griffiths step a three year-old colt from Group I BRC Queensland Oaks winner Miss Keepsake straight up in trip to 2046m at Bennalla on Tuesday with happy results.

Token Spirit wins at Benalla - image David Thorpe / Racing Photos

Unplaced on debut in July, Wandjina colt Token Spirit was set what looked a formidable task in facing older rivals with a massive step up in distance off a six week break.

His prospects may have appeared forlorn on paper, but Token Spirit rose to the challenge.

Despite racing greenly, Token Spirit did best over the last hundred metres for Damian Lane, running strong to the line to win by a length.
 

 


A $300,

Advertisement
000 Magic Millions purchase for Griffiths Racing/Peter Ford T'breds from the Gilgai Farm draft, Token Spirit was the most expensive yearling sired by Wandjina in 2019 and runs for a syndicate that includes his breeder Rick Jamieson.

 

Token Spirit was the most expensive yearling for his sire Wandjna sold in 2019.

He is the second winner for Miss Keepsake, who comes from an outstanding New Zealand classic family that has produced Group I stayers such as Grosvenor, National Gallery, Mahaya and Tavago.

The quality of this iconic family is highlighted by the presence of two more champions in Lonhro and Lankan Rupee as well as star Kiwi miler Catalyst.

Miss Keepsake has not produced a foal since Token Spirit, but was covered by So You Think last spring and appears to be in foal.

Token Spirit is the horse to win at 2000m or beyond for Wandjina, who stands at Newgate Farm this spring at a fee of $11,000.





 

Advertisment

Race Result - Vale Rob Gaylard Mdn Plate 2046m

Benalla Track: Good(4) Time: 2:12.93
1
Token Spirit
- 3c Wandjina (AUS) x Miss Keepsake (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: R D Griffiths Rdr: Damian Lane 57
2
1.0
Takatoka
- 4g Reset (AUS) x Cherokee Lady (AUS) (Sequalo (AUS))
Tnr: M C Kent Rdr: Beau Mertens 59.5
3
1.2
Run The Show
- 5g Americain (USA) x Chausson Dore (IRE) (Hawk Wing (USA))
Tnr: N D Girvan Rdr: Madison Lloyd 57.5
4
2.9
Wonderful Day
- 5g Savabeel (AUS) x La Praline (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: Logan McGill Rdr: Campbell Rawiller 58
5
5.9
Femme Americain
- 4m Americain (USA) x Girl De Bois (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Ms A Goble Rdr: Tahlia Hope 57.5
6
9.9
Whitsunday
- 6m Hinchinbrook (AUS) x Ultimate Rock (AUS) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: C J Davis Rdr: Ms A Bryan 55.5
More Reading...
Coolmore Announce Euro 2025 Fees
Coolmore have announced fees for their 20 strong European sire roster with three new additions City of Troy (Justify), Auguste Rodin (Deep Impact)and Henry Longfellow (Dubawi) and a significant increase for Wootton Bassett, who is currently in Australia.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
Melbourne Cup Winner for Extreme Choice – Rare Slice of History
This year’s $8.5million Group I VRC Melbourne Cup (3200m) produced a genuinely amazing fairytale result for the connections of five year-old Extreme Choice gelding Knight’s Choice, but part of that fairytale is his sire Extreme Choice, who has carved out something seriously special as being only the second sire in history to produce the winner of a Golden Slipper and a Melbourne Cup.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
Sires With Winners - Monday November 4
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.