Spear Leaves Everyone Speechless With Dramatic Win

There’s a real buzz when a horse comes back to themselves, finding the form and class that had deserted them and then bouncing back to winning ways is one of the most enjoyable things in racing. Flaming Spear did just that when he won before Christmas, his first victory for 2 1/2 years but the burning question was could he back it up or was it just a flash in the pan. Doubts were well and truly quashed when he thrust fast and late to take the Sunbets.co.uk Handicap in what already could challenge for performance of the year. 

Flaming Spear had made all when winning over a mile, showing determination and real battling qualities. That performance looked to really rely on his stamina, having set a good gallop and then seeing out the trip very well. Many would have thought that his next start would be over the same trip or maybe a little further but Kevin immediately had the next race in mind, dropping back to 7f for the Sunbets.co.uk handicap. This would entail a drop in trip and step up in grade, which neither worried connections. 

Robert Winston was again on board Spear having steered him to victory last time out. Robert had certainly earned his fee as the pair had fought for the first furlong or so with Spear fighting to go faster and faster. Thankfully it was the jockey who won the argument but that trait needed to be addressed if he were to back up that fine performance. It was felt that the drop in trip may help as they would go quicker, forcing Spear to settle. Robert was keen to help to and the plan was to just drop in and get some cover, meaning Spear would just be looking at the rears of his rivals. 

Plans are great in practise but can soon go wrong in the heat of the race. Plan A didn’t quite pan out as the stalls opened. Robert managed to jump a little slower to try and get cover but Spear took that a little to literally and didn’t jump out well at all. Straight away he gave the field a couple of lengths start and had to be rousted along to attach on to the back of the group. Spear was given the chance to catch up as the leaders set a dawdling pace with nobody really willing to go on and set the gallop. Although it hadn’t been the exact plan, Spear settled well at the back of the field with every one of his rivals in front of him. 

Horses who run keen hate a slow pace and it can cause them to fight their jockey. This was a worry with Spear as the leaders were now happy to crawl along in front but thankfully he dropped the bridle quite quickly after a little bit of a tug and travelled well in the rear. With the lack of a gallop the field were all bunched up and little separated the 13 runners. Spear had been well backed to go off the 3-1fav but his backers may have been slightly concerned early on as the race was surely going to turn into a sprint. When this happens the position is right up with the leaders and Spear was at the other end of the field. 

Little changed throughout the first 4 furlongs with nobody willing to change the shape of the race. It was a very sedate gallop and it remained as this due to the reluctance of a leader. Between the 3f and 2f markers Robert had seized on the opportunity to move closer. With a sprint likely he had allowed Spear to move forward, taking the pair from last to mid-division buried in the middle of the group. Flaming Spear looked to be enjoying the hustle and bustle of being amongst runners and still travelled strongly as the leaders began to bare down on the final couple of furlongs. 

Moving to the 2f pole the race began to take shape like a sprint finish in the Tour De France. The pace began to increase as the jockeys moved and jostled for position, ready to react to their rivals. Every runner still travelled well as they began to wind up for their challenge. Spear was still in the middle of the group and was hard on the bridle as the sprint started. The leaders kicked but couldn’t put any distance to the rest and were sitting ducks for the horses picking up from behind. Although Spear was still moving along easily he now found that there was no room and just a wall of horses in front of him. Robert had a split second to decide his route but with none available there was only one thing he could do. The brakes were applied, allowing his rivals to bypass him and again demoting Spear to sit last of the field. All this happened just before the final furlong, surely meaning any winning chance had now gone. 

Flaming Spear Snatching Victory With A Late And Thrilling Turn Of Foot

Just 1f left and Spear had a good 5-6 lengths to make up to get near the front. Robert switched is mount to the right and gave him a drive, more in hope than anything else. Immediately Spear picked up and shifted through the gears instantly. Showing a great turn of foot he picked off the back markers in a few strides, opening up the opportunity of a late flourish, possibly to grab a place. Robert got lower and asked for more. Flaming Spear hit top gear and was flying down the stand side. From having no chance it suddenly looked like he may get up to the leaders. The turn of foot was electric and Spear was eating into the ground with every single stride. Unbelievably Flaming Spear had gone from last to first within the final furlong, doing so under a hands and heels ride. With just yards to the line he had his head in front, gaining an unlikely win. 

Understandably this performance received plenty of plaudits and Flaming Spear really showed he was a class above. The turn of foot was exceptional and he did it against tough and decent opposition, winning off a mark of 97. It is great to see him back on track and now starting to fulfil the huge potential he has always shown. Obviously he still has a long way to go but Spear is starting to look like an exciting prospect for the year ahead. The turf season curtain raiser, The Lincoln Handicap, now looks to be the target. It is a race that Kevin would love to win and Flaming Spear must surely go there with a very good chance on current form. Hopefully he can be a real challenger for all the seasons top 7f/1mile heritage handicaps. Owner Tony Bloom certainly has plenty to look forward to and if Spear can match his Brighton FC’s consistency then there will be plenty to cheer about this year.