A seven day back-up into the $2 million The Ingham is among the options for comeback galloper Spangler, pending his second-up performance at Rosehill.
The 2023 Provincial-Midway Championships winner, Spangler spent an injury-enforced year on the sidelines after his victory in the Little Dance on Melbourne Cup day 12 months ago.
While trainer Kris Lees expects him to continue to improve deeper into his preparation, he is also adamant Spangler is there to run boldly in the James Squire Handicap (1400m) on Saturday.
“He had a suspensory issue and needed an extended break, but he has returned in good order,” Lees said.
“He will continue to improve into the preparation, but I still thought he’d race well second-up.
“He’s going well. To the eye, he still looks a touch big, but that will come with racing.”
Group 3 placed, Spangler made an encouraging return when closing late to finish fifth to Uzziah on resumption at Newcastle last month.
He boasts outstanding second-up statistics with two wins and a placing from three starts and is a three-time winner over Saturday’s journey.
Lees’ stable apprentice Benjamin Osmond has the ride, his three-kilo claim bringing Spangler in nicely at the weights with 57.5kg.
“We’d consider a back-up into The Ingham if he ran well,” Lees said.
“There are also a couple of new races like The Lakes at Wyong, so there are a few options for him.”
Lees will also have the consistent Bestower in the Precise Air Handicap (1800m) and is favouring starting first-up winner Little Beginnings in Saturday’s Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1300m), rather than the Mudgee Cup (1400m) a day earlier for which he is also an acceptor.
“He won first-up off a long break at Rosehill so this race was always our intention, the Mudgee Cup was more of a back-up,” Lees said.
“He has drawn well at both venues so it’s more likely he will stay in Sydney at this stage.”
