Tennessee Spirit, once known for her raw speed, has now learned to channel that pace effectively under the training of Toby Lake.
Having recently saluted on the Ballarat synthetic circuit, Tennessee Spirit is scheduled to compete in the Sportsbet Green Tick Handicap (1000m) at Morphettville Parks in Adelaide this Saturday.
Tennessee Spirit’s early career was with Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, before she was transferred to Luke Fernie in Perth without racing.
Following three placings in Perth, the filly was put up for sale, and Lake stepped in to purchase her for a group of clients.
“She had shown good ability over in Perth and was a leading fancy for a Stakes race over there,” Lake said.
“She showed blistering speed and I thought if we could harness that speed and teach her to finish off, it may work for us.”
Tennessee Spirit’s Victorian debut at Caulfield Heath saw her finish second, and she later contended with a very wet track at Wangaratta, where Lake indicated the filly found it difficult to extend her stride.
The application of blinkers preceded her victory on the Ballarat synthetic on June 26. In her next outing, also on the synthetic at Ballarat, she was involved in a quick pace but weakened to fourth.
“We had blinkers on for her maiden and then the start after, but that run, they went too hard and just blew her up,” Lake mentioned.
“We took the blinkers off, gave her a couple of trials to teach her to settle and she came out to win well last time, sitting back off them.
“I think she’s found a really suitable race on Saturday.
“She’s in well at the weights, gets a claim, has a good draw. There looks good speed and she should get that nice run again and being 1000 metres on the Parks track, it will suit.”
As a daughter of Capitalist from the Lope De Vega mare Pomelo, and already a dual winner, securing a city victory would add significant value to her pedigree.
“She’s well bred, so to get a city win, it will help her,” Lake added.
“She’ll head over to Adelaide in good order, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed.”
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