Spirited Halo 29/9/09

Spirited Halo leaves the field far behind
MATT CRAM
28/09/2009 12:00:00 AM
TALENTED sprinter Spirited Halo acquired a new string to his bow in a devastating victory in Saturday’s $12,000 Rating 78 Hcp (1400m) at Wangaratta.
Jockey Matt Pumpa barely had to move a muscle on the Bel Esprit gelding as the $3.30 favourite streaked clear of his rivals for a massive nine-length win on the heavy (10) track.
Liz Aalbers’ battler Firetime ($11) was second ahead of Johadina ($3.40).
It was Spirited Halo’s first victory for Mornington trainer John White since leaving Matthew Ellerton’s Melbourne stables in March.
“Would you believe it, I bought him in March and tipped him out for the winter because his form showed he wasn’t a wet-tracker,” White told.
“But he ran a pretty good race on a heavy eight two starts back (at Bendigo) and then obviously relished the conditions yesterday.”
Ellerton had a high opinion of the now five-year-old, racing him mostly in Melbourne including in the listed McKenzie Stakes where he finished seven lengths behind boom three-year-old Light Fantastic last year.
White said he saw a frustrated horse when he inspected Spirited Halo at an Ellerton sale.
“He looked really angry and cranky and like he wasn’t appreciating being trained in the city,’ White said.
“So I took him out to Mornington and give him plenty of time out in the paddock and I think it’s made a difference.”
White avoided racing Spirited Halo at his home track on Saturday in favour of giving the horse some winning confidence.
“There wasn’t a race for him in Mornington and I wanted to get a win in him,” White said.
“We want to get the money back for the owners first and then take it from there.
“It wasn’t a strong field he beat but if he can improve, who knows.”