Oaks to Spirit of Kingston

Press, 9 November 1984, Page 36

Oaks to Spirit of Kingston

NZPA Melbourne Spirit of Kingston proved herself the best filly in Australia when she stormed home to win the sAustlso,ooo Oaks Stakes, over 2500 m, at Flemington yesterday. The Bletchingly filly outdid the New Zealander, Our Lafite, in the charge to the line under an inspired ride by the former New Zealander, Gary Willetts, going a length and a half clear, with Centaurea a length a way third.

Spirit of Kingston had something to prove after running fifth behind Red Anchor in the Victoria Derby on Saturday, and she came out on top in style. The Oaks was a roughly run race and Willetts said that going past the post for the first time, the filly had taken a knock which could

have unsettled her run if she had not been travelling so well.

Earlier, Nouvelle Star, ridden by the expatriate New Zealand jockey, Brent Thomson, beat off allcomers to win the $40,000 Linlithgow Stakes over 1400 m in 1:22.2 —0.3 s inside the record time held jointly by Family of Man and Stolen Song.

Twice the chestnut mare was headed and twice she fought her way back to take the weight-for-age feature by half a length from the dual Pure ' Pak Stakes winner, River Rough, with the New Zealander, Pinson, third. The race saw the Australian debut of the smart New Zealand mare, Burletta, but although she led the field into the straight, she was no match on the day for her rivals.