Stud-bound sprinter Spirit Of Boom will be running for more than just Group One glory in the BTC Cup at Doomben on Saturday.
Spirit Of Boom is bound for breeding duties at Eureka Stud, on Queensland’s Darling Downs, after he runs in the Brisbane Group One sprint treble of the BTC Cup, Doomben 10,000 and Stradbroke Handicap.
The stallion is set to attract a large book of mares but Eureka Stud master Scott McAlpine believes another Group One win will be the perfect vehicle to promote him Australia-wide.
Four generations of the McAlpine family have run Eureka Stud for more than half a century and have stood noted sires such as Semipalatinsk, Lumley Road and Brave Warrior.
However, this year the stud will also have a strong influence on the racetrack and could have runners in up to six of the eight Group One races during the Brisbane winter carnival.
McAlpine is a major shareholder in Spirit Of Boom and his half brother Temple Of Boom who will both contest the sprint treble while Sarisara, part-owned by Eureka Stud, is looming as a top chance in the J J Atkins Stakes (1600m).
Smart three-year-old Tinto is being aimed at the Queensland Oaks after her win in the Gold Coast Bracelet last Saturday while the Eureka-bred duo of Rudy and Typhoon Red are targeting the Queensland Derby and Stradbroke Handicap respectively.
McAlpine said it was an exciting time for the stud.
“We have been around for a long time so obviously we know it is no use getting too upbeat until the results are in,” he said.
“However, we have high hopes Spirit Of Boom can win one of the Group Ones. It would mean a terrific boost to his stud career, so I suppose there is a little bit of added pressure on him.”
Spirit Of Boom will stand for $11,000 this breeding season and is expected to attract 120 mares in his first season.
“He is an ideal stallion for Queensland as he is a super tough horse who won a Magic Millions preview as a two-year-old and a Group One race at six,” McAlpine said.
McAlpine said Spirit Of Boom and Temple Of Boom had been outstanding for the stud winning a combined 19 races and more than $3.2 million in prize money.
“We would love to see Temple Of Boom win another big race in Brisbane but he will race on hopefully at the spring carnival and Magic Millions carnival.”
He said Sarisara was looming as a top chance in the J J Atkins and would probably have her next run at Doomben on Saturday week.
Sarisara is by Eureka stallion Red Dazzler who is having a bumper season with 43 individual winners of 77 races.
Red Dazzler is also the sire of Tinto and Rudy.