Sentimental favourite gunning for all star start

A horse bearing the name of Geelong racing royalty is vying for a place in one of Australia’s most prestigious sprint races, but it needs your help to get there.

Owners hope that next month’s $5-million All-Star Mile includes a special local tribute, with the horse named after renowned racing figure Robert Gaylard an outside chance to earn a start.

Spirit of Gaylard is the sentimental favourite in the third running for the Mile – the richest 1600m race in the world, which returns to Flemington this year.

Punters from across Australia and New Zealand decide the race’s field through a public vote, with the 15 most-popular horses earning a start for the blue-ribbon autumn race.

Mr Gaylard was best-known as the voice and face of Flemington’s mounting yard presentations for more than 20 years, and as a highly-respected media personality, equine commentator and educator.

He was also an extremely popular figure and Order of Merit recipient at Geelong’s racecourse, before his death at his Lara home in July 2020.

Geelong businessman John Spence is one of the four original owners of the horse that now bears Mr Gaylard’s name – a syndicate that has since grown to five, after carving a 10-per-cent stake for Mr Gaylard’s widow, Karen.

“With Rob being a great stalwart of the industry, and for Geelong, and a as great personal friend of ours, we all really had a special bond,” Mr Spence said.

“To have a horse with his name in a race like that, it would be such a thrill.”

Spirit of Gaylard is a three-year-old New Zealand colt with a current career record of two wins in four races – including a last-start salute at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day last year.

While only at the beginning of his racing career, Mr Spence is confident Spirit of Gaylard has the class to test some of the world’s top horses, with the Mile field likely to include last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant, star sprinter Zaaki and New Zealand import I’m Thunderstruck.

He will need a late burst in the vote’s final straight to make the final field, as he currently sits 38^th in the vote that closes on Sunday.

To cast a vote go to: https://www.allstarmile.com.au/horse-profiles/spirit-of-gaylard