Although understandably a little tired after making the long trip from their Waverley base to Hastings and back yesterday, both trainer Erin Hocquard and her rising star Spencer were feeling satisfied about a job well done. 

The four-year-old Derryn gelding continues to impress as he took his current winning streak to three for Hocquard when he passed his biggest test to date in taking out the Taradale Club Handicap (1200m) at his first try in open company. 

Hocquard was nervous before the race as to how the star of her six-horse stable would handle the challenge, but was left in no doubt he has more to give as he out-toughed Samoot, Old Town Road and Durham in a stirring four-way finish to the contest. 

“I was a bit worried about the test for him and the track before the race as at one stage earlier in the week there was some talk the meeting may not go ahead with all the rain around,” Hocquard said. 

“As it turned out the track was perfect, and he came through with flying colours. 

“Lisa (Allpress, rider) said he just puffed himself up in the birdcage and went down to the start like he owned the place and when it got tight in the last 200m he just refused to lie down. 

“It was another 1200m race and I know he has won over 1400m, so I wasn’t worried about him being strong at the end, but the way he put them away was very heartening. 

“He doesn’t seem to have been bothered by it all as when I took him out of his box this morning, he pig rooted all the way down to his paddock and was pretty happy with himself. 

“He can be a little quirky at times and he spent the whole time in the swab box walking around trying to headbutt me as he thinks that is fun, but while he is a happy horse I’m certainly not complaining.” 

Hocquard will now turn her sights to a pair of stakes features which will present a new set of challenges for both horse and trainer over the next month. 

“He is entered for the Winter Cup down at Riccarton and will most likely need one more race before we go there,” she said. 

“He had three weeks between runs this time and if we do the same again then the Opunake Cup (Listed, 1400m) looks ideal for him as it would be three weeks to that and then a fortnight to the Winter Cup. 

“The trip to Riccarton will be a big one for him and I am worried about it along with some things closer to home including who will look after my horses here while I’m away, but racing people are very generous and I’m sure someone will step up to help me out. 

“Win, lose or draw I’m sure it will be a good experience for us both.” 

TAB Bookmakers were suitably impressed by the performance and quickly shortened his odds to become the $8 equal favourite with Justaskme for the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 127th Winter Cup (1600m) on 3 August. 

Bred and raced by members of Taranaki’s well-known Schumacher family, Spencer has now won five of his thirteen starts and over $118,000 in prizemoney.