Strathalbyn trainer bypasses easier option with progressive sprinter.
Gold Spirit is eligible for easier races than the one he will contest at Morphettville this Saturday, but trainer Grant Kluske sees positives associated with stepping the progressive sprinter up in grade.
The four-year-old will have his second run for the campaign in the $55,000 Sportsbet Same Race Multi BM72 Handicap over 1000 metres on the Parks track.
Gold Spirit was eligible for the 0-62 race, also over 1000m, that follows the BM72 but Kluske likes the set-up for his charge even though he will start from the second-widest alley in the field of 10.
“I decided to go with the higher-class race mainly because the horses in it,” Kluske said.
“He likes it up forward, but I think it’s going to be a bit of a fight up front and will take a sit.
“He doesn’t have to be up there (leading), so I’m more than happy going into it.”
Where Gold Spirit would have been equal topweight in the later race, he gets into the BM72 with 54kg after a 3kg claim for Brooke King.
King was aboard when the son of Turffontein finished fourth first-up at Morphettville on January 31, beaten just over one length.
That was in 0-70 grade, but with 68-raters Been Our Angel, Mintulee and Nextonixs the top-rated runners in Saturday’s race, Kluske said it was not as strong a race as it could have been and is looking to use it to determine steps for the remainder of the campaign.
“This will only be his second start this time in, but he’s got to step up the mark in this one,” Kluske said.
“It’s a benchmark 72, but there’s nothing in it rated 69 (or above), so we’re more than happy.
“He’s a very good horse, very professional in everything he does and I’m feeling really happy with him.”
Gold Spirit is battling out favouritism with Nextonixs, who will be ridden by Adelaide’s reigning premiership jockey Rochelle Milnes and carry 58kg.
