Mick Price proved himself a master trainer long ago, but following Spicy Margs’ win at Caulfield on Saturday one of his employees revealed he is also a master salesman.
Emma Shelley, who is office manager for the Cranbourne stable Price runs with Michael Kent Jnr, said a quip in a sales video after he bought Spicy Margs for $340,000 at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale proved the catalyst for many becoming involved.
It led to all-female group coming together to race the daughter of Deep Field, who won the $150,000 Take It To The Neds Level 2YO Handicap at just her second start.
“There are 70 ladies involved in this horse…there are some partners of Mick’s long-time owners and there’s a heap of my friends in it,” Shelley, who pulled the syndicate together with Price’s partner Shona Drecshler, said.
“Mick did an update when we first bought her at Magics and said, ‘if you’ve bought your husband a lawnmower, get him to buy you a share in a racehorse’, and this is what’s come of it.
“I just can’t believe it. I’m still shaking.”
Spicy Margs showed the benefit of a spring preparation, when her only start produced a 13th placing in the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes (1000m), with a dashing display in the 1100-metre event.
After jumping well under Beau Mertens, Spicy Margs – who was $6.50 out to $11 – took up the lead, kicked clearly early in the straight and went on to score by 2-1/4 lengths from Sensical ($3.40 fav) with Elderberry ($9.50) a neck back third.
“She jumped out the machines and she jumped straight into the bridle, gave me a beautiful ride and just travelled so nicely,” Mertens said.
“Especially on this tight-turning track, she was able to carry herself around it so well.
“From the 400 I gave her a good squeeze and she felt like she picked up and sprinted really, really well.”
The victory was an emotional one for Mertens, who only 48 hours earlier had farewelled his father Peter along with hundreds of family, friends and members of the racing fraternity at the same venue.
