The Chris Waller-trained Spokesman had the honour of being the first winner for Vinery Stud’s Press Statement when successful at Canterbury on January 31 and following a 10 week break and burdened with 59kgs the Star Thoroughbred colour-bearer ground out another meritorious win over 1300m at Warwick Farm on Monday.
With Nash Rawiller in the saddle, Spokesman never flinched in a slogging finish to wear down Godolphin’s Exceed And Excel filly Glaciers by a head with three-quarters of a length back to the No Nay Never (USA) filly Cordyceps Miracle in third.
Third behind the high-priced Redoute’s Choice colt Prague when on debut at Canterbury on January 17, Spokesman advances his record to 2 wins and 1 third from 3 starts with earnings of $75,060.
The son of Press Statement was purchased by Star Thoroughbreds/ Randwick Bloodstock for $270,000 out of the Fairview Park Stud at last year’s Inglis Classic.
Bred by Mystery Downs, Spokesman is the seventh foal and sixth winner out of the 5-time Sydney winning Mujahid (USA) mare Calaluna whose dam It’s Not On (Tierce) is a half-sister to the Champion 2YO Filly in Australia in 2001-02, Victory Vein (Mr Henrysee) who is the dam of Group III winner Sookie (Casino Prince).
A Your Song filly out of Calaluna was purchased for $100,000 by Bowman Racing out of the Fairview Park Stud draft at this year’s Inglis Classic.
Calaluna missed to Press Statement in 2018 before being covered by the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas winning son of Hinchinbrook again last spring.