Spanish Reef has continued her outstanding run of form with a dominant win in the Group 2 Sunline Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley this evening.
The daughter of Lope De Vega charged home to claim a maiden black type win in the Group 3 Schweppervescence Trophy (1600m) at Flemington a fortnight ago and she was subsequently backed into $2.45 favouritism leading into this race.
Jumping from the gates well, Spanish Reef was allowed to stride forward by jockey Mark Zahra and took a position on the pace, alongside Tasmanian raider Life On The Wire.
Enjoying an unheralding run in transit, Spanish Reef immediately responded when asked for an extra effort on the turn and shot clear when the field straightened; opening the gap to beat Samovare by close to three lengths.
Jockey Mark Zahra delivered a gem of a ride aboard Spanish Reef to win the Sunline Stakes and was thrilled to be aboard the mare.
“Before the first race Ken said she’d get some black type this prep and she’s just been flying,” Zahra said.
“She puts herself on-speed, relaxes up there and then she can step it up quite a way out, it makes life easy for me.
“She just came off the bridle on the side, but that’s her and she was really strong to the line.”
Trainer Ken Keys was thrilled with Spanish Reef’s performance, but is yet to confirm her next point o call.
“The maturity of her as a horse has been pretty great to just watch happen and that was pretty exciting,” Keys said after the Sunline Stakes.
“I remember in the winter of last year, I was embarrassed by how she looked at Flemington. She was just a wreck.
“I nearly pass the reins on (if she won a Group 1). My daughter is getting pretty good at it!
“Hopefully she can achieve what we hope for her.”
Spanish Reef will be set for the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) during The Championships and she is currently rated a $21 shot in our early market.