Paddy and Sylvia Kay have been strong supporters of Westbury Stud and their run of success with the Karaka farm's stallions continued at Trentham on Saturday with the progressive Spiro. The four-year-old completed a hat-trick of wins when he downed a competitive line-up of Rating 80 metric milers with a game front-running performance.
Bred and part-owned by the Levin couple and trained by Sylvia, he is a son of former Westbury resident Pyrus and the first foal of the Blues Traveller mare Radio Rocket. "I'm a bit stunned really as I was very worried about the track and he does like it a bit firmer," she said.
Spiro was in front at the top of the straight and the gelding fought off allcomers to win in fine style for regular rider Kane Smith. "It's worked out very well and it's a tough call to lead all the way at Trentham - I'm very proud of the horse," Sylvia said.
Spiro won in Rating 70 company on Boxing Day at Awapuni and repeated the dose there earlier this month. He has now won four of his 11 starts and the Kays also prepare his younger half-sister Aunt Daisy. The Captain Rio filly showed she had inherited the family ability with a win at her second start at Otaki and followed up with a strong run for third in a competitive three-year-old event at Awapuni on January 16.
