Slot holder: Hole In The Wall Gang
Breeding: Art Major - Return To Gold
Trainers: Cran & Chrissie Dalgety
Owners: Westview Racing No.19 Syndicate, The Witches Of Westview No.2 Syndicate
Breeders: SG bell, Miss D L Williamson
Prizemoney: $398,203 Career: 46-14-12-5

Classy mare Spellbound will be looking to work her magic when she contests the $900,000 The Race by Grins (2200m) for slotholders Hole In The Wall Gang.

While a solid performer in New Zealand, she has proven a sensation in Australia, winning nine of her 16 starts across the Tasman.

She won the Gr.1 Ladyship Cup (1720m) in February, and has also finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth II Mile (1609m), Gr.1 VICBRED 4YO Mares Final (2240m), Gr.1 Queen Of The Pacific (2760m), and Gr.1 Garrards Golden Girl (1660m).

Australian trainer Nathan Purdon said the invitation to compete in the inaugural The Race was a tonic for his fledgling stable.

“Amazing Dream has been my headline horse in the eyes of most, but this mare has been so special to Mikayla (Lewis, Purdon’s partner) and I, she was the mare who really got us started. She’s done such a fantastic job over here (Australia) and she’s still on the up, I think,” Purdon said.

“The preferential draw for mares and the 2200m make it an attractive race for her.

“Give her a soft run on the speed and she’s so quick she can match it with anything off the right sort of trip.

“It’s really exciting to be taking a nice horse back home for a big race.”