Fourth Stakes Win for Lope De Vega's Spanish Reef

Mark Smith - Wednesday October 16

As a six-year-old daughter of the outstanding sire Lope de Vega (IRE) and with a Group II and a pair of Group IIIs already in the bank, there must have been a bit of pressure to retire Spanish Whisper to the broodmare paddocks, particularly after two sub par runs to kickstart her campaign.

But trainer and part-owner Ken Keys retained the faith and after an improved effort when fourth to Princess Jenni in the Group II Stocks Stakes at The Valley last month, Spanish Whisper came out to claim Wednesday’s $200,000 Group III Ladies' Day Vase (1600m) at Caulfield.

Ridden by Mark Zahra, Spanish Reef defeated the favourite Rondinella by a length with Fidelia a nose back in third. (image Grant Courtney)

Spanish Reef Captures Ladies Vase

"She's an older mare and we're not rushing to have her 100 per cent all the time for the mile plus," Keys said.

"We've been really happy with her progress and those couple of runs, she needed them."

With her fourth stakes win, Spanish Reef advances her record to 7 wins, 5 seconds and 1 third from 27 starts with earnings of $733,850.

 Bred by Patinack Farm, Spanish Reef was purchased as a yearling by Keys for just $12,500 at the 2014 Patinack Dispersal.

She is the first foal of the unraced Lemon Drop Kid mare Lemon Reef (USA) who is a daughter of the Grade III winner Storm Dream (Catrail) who was third in the Group 1 One Thousand Guineas at Newmarket.

Sold to Willcox Bloodstock for $18,000 at the 2016 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, Lemon Reef (USA) was exported after being covered by Olympic Glory (IRE) in 2015.

Spanish Reef is one of 64 stakes-winners for French Derby winner Lope de Vega (IRE) shuttled to Patinack Farm for four years (2011-14) and will be represented by Santa Ana Lane in next Saturday’s $14 million The Everest at Randwick.

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Race Result - Fdc Ladies' Day Vase Gr3 1600m

Caulfield Track: Good(4) Time: 1:38.05
1
Spanish Reef
- 6m Lope De Vega (IRE) x Lemon Reef (USA) (Lemon Drop Kid (USA))
Tnr: K M Keys Rdr: M Zahra 57
2
1.0
Rondinella
- 5m Ocean Park (NZ) x Valpolicella (NZ) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: N Rawiller 55.5
3
1.1
Fidelia
- 4m Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Fidele (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: R D Griffiths Rdr: B Melham 55
4
1.3
One More Try
- 5m Dane Shadow (AUS) x Belzain (AUS) (Woodman (USA))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: Jamie Kah 55
5
1.6
Snogging
- 5m I Am Invincible (AUS) x Starts With A Kiss (AUS) (Umatilla (NZ))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: B Prebble 55
6
1.7
Consensus
- 8m Postponed (USA) x Kate Cross (NZ) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: S J McKee Rdr: Jordan Childs 58
7
2.7
Aristocratic Miss
- 4m Foxwedge (AUS) x Golden Pedigree (AUS) (Gold Brose (AUS))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: D Oliver 55
8
3.1
Shrouded In Mist
- 5m Exceed And Excel (AUS) x De Lago Mist (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: L Currie 55
9
3.5
Temple Of Bel
- 5m Bel Esprit (AUS) x Sadiya (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: L Nolen 55
10
4.2
Pure Scot
- 5m Purrealist (AUS) x Enthrall (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: D & B Hayes & T Dabernig Rdr: Craig Williams 55
11
4.3
Silent Roar
- 5m Street Cry (IRE) x Zarita (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: K Mc Evoy 55
12
6.8
Nordic Symphony
- 4m Glass Harmonium (IRE) x Vikea (NZ) (Viking Ruler (AUS))
Tnr: Symon Wilde Rdr: D Yendall 55
13
6.9
Camelle
- 4m Camelot (GB) x Viana (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: P G Carey Rdr: Beau Mertens 55
14
9.7
The Real Beel
- 4m Savabeel (AUS) x Ahna (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: D R Brideoake Rdr: Jye McNeil 55
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