Perseverance pays - Spice It Up’s Auckland triumph brings the house down in Napier
Napier couple Rod and Sue Fleming weren’t well enough to make it to Auckland to see Spice It Up win at Auckland on Friday night but they still celebrated what for so long seemed an unachievable dream.
“We were out of our trees, we couldn’t believe it,” Rod Fleming said of the filly’s decisive two and a quarter length romp.
“We popped some bubbles and sat up ’til god knows what time replaying the race, maybe seven times, which was like seven wins.”
The win was two years in the making since Lincoln Farms’ clients clambered to take up shares in the Captaintreacherous filly when she showed real early talent.
But with Spice It Up’s speed came a persistent tie-up condition which halted her in numerous preparations.
When it looked like she might never make it to the races, in line with John and Lynne Street’s unmatched policy, the partners were offered the chance to switch to other horses.
Lincoln Farms’ business manager Ian Middleton recalls only the Flemings opted to stay in the filly.
“I tried to put them into anther horse and we gave them plenty of time to change their minds but they’d visited her at the stable and Sue was insistent they wanted to stay in her.”
Rod Fleming admits he started looking at other two-year-olds.
“But Sue said no, we like this horse, she’ll come right. “We liked the way Ray Green talked about her, and it’s not often that John keeps horses like that which told me he was interested in her too.
“They said we’ll just keep trying, put her in the paddock, and see what happens.”
Green’s more recent move to train her from the paddock and basically restrict her to eating grass, eventually paid dividends.
Before her debut third last month, all her previous owners were invited to come back into the ownership, but none took up the offer.
So it was with mixed feelings that everyone watched on Friday night as David Butcher secured a perfect trail before exploding past The Missing Sock up the passing lane.
“David didn’t touch her and away she went, bang,” Rod Fleming enthused.
“It’s a shame all the good two and three-year-old filly races are gone but hopefully we can win some more with her now.”
Fleming acknowledges they’ve been incredibly lucky in their time racing Lincoln Farms’ horses, having shares previously in King Of Swing, Vasari (23 wins) and Double Or Nothing (3 wins).
“We were very disappointed King Of Swing was sold but it was good money and he won seven races (and $236,000) plus the Breeders Crown in Australia (2017).
“We had a great time on that trip. John and Lynne are very gracious and they treat you very well.”
Fleming has known Street for more than 50 years, both grocers initially, but meeting through their shared enjoyment of indoor bowls.
“John and I played a lot of indoor bowls together and we won a NZ fours’ title in 1980.”
Fleming, 75, isn’t quite so agile these days and is in semi-retirement, getting round on crutches until he’s back in hospital in two weeks for a second try at a hip replacement.
“Sue has been crook for the last three or four months too but we’re keen to get up to Auckland again when we can.”
The couple are real identities in Napier where they have been in real estate for a combined 43 years.
More news in Harness
Ray: Little Leo’s under-rated and he can give them a hurry-up at Auckland on Friday night
Forget the form line, Nemo is in Saturday’s race at Albion Park ‘right up to his ears’
Fine Cambridge double but Ray’s packing Lincoln Cove off to Matamata for scintigraphy
34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Les Harding
Monday at Globe Derby
Race 6: Beaudiene Rocknroll
6.34pm NZ time
This race will tell us how he measures up against the local horses. We decided to go for this lower graded race, despite having lower prize money, instead of going to the trials one more time. He won the second of two trials on April 21, beating race rival Hezrockinroyalty by four metres. Run over 2230 metres he clocked 57.7 for his last half and 1:59.7 for his last mile. From the pole he’ll start short and be hard to beat.
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 7: Lincoln Lou
8.25pm
“He’s a beautiful little horse who doesn’t do anything wrong. He got held up at a crucial time last week and got home well (for sixth). He gets out pretty well so should get a good trip from two. He’ll go his usual honest race. He’s improving all the time, he’s a gutsy little guy, but whether he can measure up to the favourites remains to be seen.”
Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.25pm
“He’s a work in progress and we’re still dabbling with his gear. He’s actually a naturally good-gaited horse, like all the American Ideals, but he’s going through a stage of not really knowing why he’s out there. You just don’t know when he’ll click but three is an ideal draw for him and he should be handy if he does things right.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
9.20pm
“He’s an under-rated horse, as good as those others who are higher rated. He’s proving to be a tidy horse and, while he’s not viewed as a serious player by some, I think he is. He was closing off really well last week behind Hugotastic.”