Token Spirit has showed what confidence can do in a racehorse by scoring an easy win at Flemington.
Lining up for his 13th race start in the Mahogany Challenge Final (2500m) on Saturday, Token Spirit had registered just two wins, and one placing from his previous 12 outings.
One of those victories was in a maiden at Benalla at the gelding’s second start while his second win came at Sandown on June 16.
That victory was the confidence booster Token Spirit required and under a confident ride from Jamie Kah the son of Wandjina raced to an easy third win.
Providing Kah with her 99th metropolitan win for the season, Token Spirit, the $3.70 favourite, raced to a 3-½ length win from Cakewalk Baby ($15) with Reuber ($9) a head away third.
“This horse has improved massively and he has taken a lot of confidence out of that (Sandown) win,” Kah said.
“He’s probably a horse that you don’t want to end up in front too soon on, but he was just travelling so well that I had to let him improve and he put them away so well today.”
Mathew de Kock, who trains Token Spirit in partnership with Robbie Griffiths, said Saturday’s victory was testament to the whole team for having the stayer running so well late in the season.
He said Token Spirit may return towards the end of the month of a Super VOBIS race over 2400m at Caulfield.
“We’re really super chuffed about today’s win,” de Kock said.
“I guess we’ll take it a step-by-step and we’ll see how he pulls up.
“We could be greedy and come back towards the end of the month and take advantage of his VOBIS qualifications, but he looks like a nice type of horse that we’ll be able to program and manage to some nice races next season.”
