Spirit Song Runs Well to Win Schweppervescence Trophy

Aaron Purcell trained mare Spirit Song has beaten a quality field to score victory in the Group 3 $150,000 Schweppervesence Trophy (1600m) at Flemington today.

The pre-race second favourite ($5.00) bolted home down the inside to take top honours in front of Marveen and five-year-old mare Seduced.

Sprit Song now has six victories from 18 starts after finishing impressively today.

The four-year-old is known for being hard to handle but trainer Purcell said after the race she is well worth the effort.

“She’s a horse that has come with a lot of problems,” Purcell said.

“You go to the races each week hoping she’s going to run well and so far she has pretty well delivered.

“She’s a gutsy mare…it makes it worthwhile, days like today.”

The mare was carrying just 54kg in to the race and it showed as she was able to really pick up the speed down the final straight.

Purcell said a drop back in distance was ideal for the daughter of Invincible Spirit.

“We knew the conditions of today’s race and that she’d come in with the minimum [weight],” he said.

“I thought dropping back in trip would be of benefit. She toughed it out really well and the fitness was a big advantage over the last furlong.”

Spirit Song’s next race is set to be at Moonee Valley in two weeks.

Race favourite Hi Belle tried hard, pushing wide down the straight, but could not challenge for top honours and eventually finished in fourth.

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