Former champion on target to regain title

FORMER champion Spankem proved he is on target to regain his Miracle Mile title with a stylish victory in Addington yesterday.

Runner-up in the famed New Zealand Cup over 3200 metres three days earlier, Spankem outclassed his rivals in the New Zealand Free-For-All.

Driven by co-trainer Natalie Rasmussen, the son of Bettors Delight led throughout the Group One to score by three lengths from his former stablemate Thefixer.

Ashley Locaz, a stablemate of the winner, was a nose away third.

Spankem rated 1:53.1 over 1980 metres to take his record to 18 wins and 20 placings from 44 starts for earnings of $1,507,284.

“I think the 3200 metres just sees him out, but over the short trip he is pretty lethal,” Rasmussen said. “He is fast!

“Once he got to the front he just dropped the bit, which was good as he is one that can get up on the chewy a bit.

“It was nice to have him relax and do his own thing and then start picking up when he needed to.”

Spankem missed his Miracle Mile defence earlier this season after being sidelined with fetlock issues last November.

During the gelding’s absence King Of Swing captured the Grand Circuit event in 1:48 around Club Menangle.