Trainer Bjorn Baker will consider backing up Spencer in this week’s Grafton Cup after he passed his first genuine staying test with flying colours.
Stepping up to 2400m for the first time at Rosehill on Saturday, Spencer made his own luck out in front and despite a midrace move by Nash Rawiller on Desert Path to pressure for the lead, the gelding kept finding in the straight to hold off favourite No Compromise.
Spencer’s only other start beyond 2000m yielded a sixth in last year’s Wyong Cup (2100m) but now he has proven his stamina, Baker might go to the well again.
The six-year-old is among nominations for the Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) on Thursday and is a chance to take his place if he does well in the coming days.
“He’s just rock-hard fit and he’s in great order,” Baker said.
“He has been nominated for the Grafton Cup on Thursday so that’s not out of the question either.
“He’s tough and he’s fit so we wouldn’t rule it out.”
There are 20 entries for the Grafton Cup, including several horses who were due to go around at the washed-out Sunshine Coast meeting on Saturday, which has now been postponed to July 11.
Among them were McKell Cup winner Stockman and the Chris Waller-trained Wu Gok.
Spencer’s stablemate Parry Sound has also been nominated for the Grafton feature as he looks to break a sequence of five minor placings.
