PUTTING A SPACE ON THEM

 Missing a run when a recent Ballarat meeting was abandoned, Space made up for that disappointment with a dominant victory at Geelong on Thursday.

Settling back for jockey Mark Zahra, the lightly raced four-year-old hooked out at the turn and really charged over the final stages – his winning margin a soft 1 3/4 lengths.

Whilst it was not Space’s first victory – the gelding a Flemington winner in July last year – it was his first for the stable.

Purchased from his breeder and owner Lloyd Williams, Space is showing plenty of staying potential for Ballymore and he has maintained consistent form despite having been in work for some time.

“He shows no signs of needing a spell,” said Matt Hoysted, “and whilst he is racing so well we will keep going.”

Zahra, who was riding the son of Dubai Destination for the first time, was impressed by the horse’s laid-back attitude.

“We knew there was pace on and we wanted him to switch off and be strong late – and it worked out perfectly.”

“When I asked him he really picked up and he was strong to the line.”

A half-brother to the stakes placed multiple city winner Miss Barwang, Space is out of the Zabeel mare The Divot whose grandam is the dual Group Three winner The Dimple.

An outstanding broodmare, she produced nine winners including the Auckland Cup winner Irish Chance – and she is also grandam of the dual Group One winner The Jewel.

Congratulations to Space’s owners M Chapman, G Chapman, Ms J Baldwin, D Drake, M Drake-Bemelmans, P Gray, G Pyers, M Reichert, M Wood, J Chapman & Space Age, Macawaga, Headspace, Spaceballs, White Possum, Valley Social, Greybeards, MET, Staker Shelton and The Dogs Syndicates.