BACK-TO-BACK WINS FOR MY SPY

By Graham Potter | Saturday, January 27, 2024

The Tony and Maddysen Sears trained My Spy made it back-to-back wins when he landed a QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap over 1600m at the Sunshine Coast on January 27.

The three-year-old had four starts, between February and July 2023, for Annabel Neasham (where his best result was a very close, runner-up finish) before switching to the Sears yard.

My Spy’s positive progression since entering his new surroundings is clear to see.

His first two runs for the Sears camp, looking back, now can be recognised as more or less ‘warm-up’ runs, coming as they did following a four-and-a-half month time away from racing, as well as racing over distances ... 1200m and 1110m ... which were short of his best.

That progression kicked in third-up when the Sears team stepped the distance test up to 1350m in a Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate with My Spy producing a first career winning effort that day when saluting by 0.30 lengths.

There was no hesitation in lifting the distance again here ... this time to 1600m ... and My Spy’s second successive win came in a more clearcut fashion than her pervious success, this time putting a full 2.80 length margin on the hard chasing race favourite Ringer’s Reward ($1.45).

Jumping from pole position, My Spy (easy to back at $9) landed in the lead, but Cejay Graham was then happy to let the speed go around her as she settled the son of Better Than Ready in third place, racing on the rail, pulling hard at times on a slow pace, two to three lengths off the lead as the field went down the back stretch.

By the time the speed started to come on approaching the home turn, Graham had My Spy tracking out three wide into clear air, and he straightened, still with those two leaders to hunt down, still with two lengths to find.

Producing a strong, sustained run, My Spy reached the front approaching the 200m and just kept on coming widening the gap over his chasers over the concluding stages to rubber stamp an emphatic victory.

While My Spy did enjoy a heathy advantage at the weights (he carried 5.5kg less than the runner-up, Ringer’s Reward), the manner in which he went about his business under a confident ride from Cejay Graham was impressive.

Nobody knew it at the time, but My Spy’s win would be the first of no less than four winners on the day for Brisbane’s leading apprentice. For that, Cejay Graham can take a bow.

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