DID we just witness a candidate for The Kosciuszko take to the track at Tyers Park on Sunday?
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That's what racing fans are asking following Spiranac's barnstorming success in the $80,000 The Panorama (1,300 metres) at the Bathurst track, easing down to win by more than three lengths.
With two spots left in the premier event for country-trained NSW horses, the $1.3 million The Kosciuszko, the Rodney Northam-trained Spiranac made a huge case for the remaining winning ticket holders to select her.
Spiranac ($4.80 favourite, Mitchell Bell) said goodbye to the rest of the field when she hit the front at the 200m, making one of the best race fields ever seen at Bathurst look second rate in the process.
Kurt Goldman's Ruthless Agent ($21, Nick Heywood) overcame extra weight to win the scrap for second place was the Dean Mirfin-trained mare Whatsin ($14, Grant Buckley) flew home for third on her home track.
But they were both left staring at the back of red-hot former Country Championships finalist Spiranac.
Northam said on Monday morning that he was already working towards his mare finding a place in Kosciuszko.
"We've had a little bit of interest. Nothing definite yet but hopefully we can get something sorted," he said.
He was impressed by the way his mare put the field to the sword at Tyers Park.
"I always knew she had really good ability but it was really good to see her do it in the way she did, and I still think she will improve off this run. I'm really happy," he said.
"We thought we'd be around fifth or six and hopefully get across one off, and we were able to do that. She was given plenty of room around the bend, which she likes, and with the way she was travelling up on the turn I was feeling pretty confident.
"I was a little concerned that the track might not suit her - it's a little tighter than the tracks that she's used to - but it played out well for her on the day."
Mirfin's other hope in the race, I Am Capitan, jumped to an early lead before Partners came through along the rail to take up the running.
Their early pace stretched the field out a long distance and they held a three length break to the chasing group of Man Of Peace, Thistledo and A Magic Zariz.
Spiranac headed the next chasing group several lengths away, and inside the last 700m was work forward a little by Mitchell Bell to latch onto the batch of the group ahead.
Partners came into the home stretch a length's lead over I Am Capitan, who would quickly fade out of the picture. Thistledo, along the rail, also lost touch.
The well supported Man Of Peace surprisingly had little to offer despite finding an ideal trip and clean air at the top of the straight.
It was out wider where Spiranac was offering the biggest threat - gunning down Partners at the 200m and from there it was all over.
Whatsin produced the run of the race to weave her way through the middle of the pack and score third.
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