Spring Tide’s quick rise through the ranks in winter has persuaded Foxton trainer Chrissy Bambry to take an unscheduled crack at Group One company this weekend.

The Darci Brahma five-year-old has been in great form, winning three of his last four starts, including a victory by five and a half lengths in an open handicap at Wanganui on September 4.

It was enough for Bambry to put in a late nomination for the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday.

Spring Tide’s form has seen his rating rocket from 77 to 93 and it’s this rating which has in part convinced Bambry to aim high.

“Originally we were going to aim at the Gr.3 Red Badge Sprint (1400m) on the last day at Hastings and then the Couplands Mile (Gr.2, 1600m), but with his current rating he’ll nearly be topweight in any open handicap he goes to,” she said.

“So while he’s well and fit he’s worth a crack at the Group One.”

Spring Tide has won all of his races on soft or heavy going but Bambry said he’ll be competitive on dead footing as well.

“He won at Hastings on a slow 9 and I think he’s best on dead to soft footing,” Bambry said.

Sarah Macnab, who has been aboard for all three of Spring Tide’s 2021 winter victories, will retain the ride for the Tarzino.

Bambry is likely to be double-handed in the Tarzino as she has also nominated her hardy galloper Deerfield, who finished fifth in the race last year behind Callsign Mav.

Spring Tide was purchased by his owner Wayne Ross for $5,000 from The Oaks Stud via gavelhouse.com in April 2020, and has now collected over $94,000 in stakes under the guidance of Chrissy Bambry. 

-NZ Racing Desk