Novikov (2008)

A-Spirit (HK)

bay gelding by Flying Spur out of Tarcoola Diamond

 

4 wins

Great expectations were held for (the then named) A-Spirit by champion trainer John Moore in Hong Kong. A $240,000 purchase at the 2010  Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, A-Spirit had delighted the stable and they anticipated that he was set to be a Group horse in Hong Kong.

But not all horses are suited to the confined conditions of Hong Kong racing, and A-Spirit was one such horse. After four frustrating runs in Hong Kong A-Spirit would one year later find himself back in Australia – now named Novikov – and under the care of Brian Guy in Queensland. A promising start which began with a win was soon stymied by the residual sourness of his earlier racing career and Novikov became a barrier rogue and exceptionally hard to load.

Another change of trainers saw him in the care of (current trainer) Tony Crane who gradually improved his manners and demeanour, ultimately leading to his current situation where he has put 2 wins in a row together, culminating in a 1.3 length win in the Racing Retro Handicap at Eagle Farm over 2100 metres (20th August, 2014).