There was a touch of deja vu about the opening event at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day for trainer Robbie Laing and jockey Craig Williams.Last year they combined to win the Listed AGL Solar Power Stakes (1000m) with She's Got Gears who came with a similar powerful finishing burst to what Spectrolite produced on Tuesday.Just as the Gillian Heinrich-trained Military Grace had dashed to the front and looked home, Spectrolite ($15) came with a withering late run to score by a half length with Dinne
There was a touch of deja vu about the opening event at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day for trainer Robbie Laing and jockey Craig Williams.
Last year they combined to win the Listed AGL Solar Power Stakes (1000m) with She's Got Gears who came with a similar powerful finishing burst to what Spectrolite produced on Tuesday.
Just as the Gillian Heinrich-trained Military Grace had dashed to the front and looked home, Spectrolite ($15) came with a withering late run to score by a half length with Dinner Date ($13) 2-1/4 lengths away third.
Laing bought the Stratum filly, a half-sister to stakes winner Hitapotomoss, for $26,000 at the June Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
Her dam Canicula, by Rory's Jester, was a Brisbane winner and placed in Melbourne and her five foals have all been winners.
"She's a beautiful-moving filly. She's done an enormous job," Laing said.
"She's still being educated. She bombed the start today and just ran home over the top of them so she's quite promising."
Spectrolite wasn't foaled until November 11 in 2008 but Laing liked what he saw at the sales.
"I think she had just been brought out of the paddock in fairness to the horse, but she was a very good walker and a Rory's Jester mare under Stratum, it's speed, speed, speed and the Stratum's were going well so we were happy to grab her."
Laing said the Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast in January "might be the go" for the filly.
The stewards downgraded the earlier rating of a dead 5 to a slow 6 before the running of the first race.