Top Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde is chasing a listed victory with his promising galloper Persian Spirit after the five-year-old’s convincing win in last Saturday’s $175,000 VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham.
Persian Spirit was heavily backed to start a $1.70 favourite, scoring a comfortable 1¼-length win over Run Harry Run. 
That made it three wins from Persian Spirit’s past six starts and Wilde says the gelding deserves a crack at tougher races.
“We’ll probably head to the Kensington Stakes (Flemington, December 31) but we’ll just monitor his condition over the next few days before making a final decision,” he said. 
“He has a strong finishing burst. The 1400 metre looks ideal at this stage of his career but I think he’ll get out to 1600 metres with a bit of time. 
“He’s an exciting type of horse who is just so consistent. He’s run top-three in 16 of his 18 starts.”
Persian Spirit, a son of Cable Bay, has proved a bargain buy for his connections. He changed hands for $6000 at the Inglis Premier yearling sale of 2022 and has earned $436,125.
Wilde has been enjoying a productive few weeks, with Darkbonee winning at Sandown and Precious Charm dead-heating in the Werribee Cup. 
Sandy backs in the jumps
The Australian Jumps Racing Association has locked in a three-year contract extension with its major sponsor, Ecycle Solutions. 
Ecycle, owned by passionate racing fan Sandy McGregor, has sponsored the AJRA for the past 10 years.
Four Western District clubs that host jumps racing — Casterton, Coleraine, Terang and Hamilton — will benefit from the sponsorship deal. The other tracks to receive support are Ballarat and Sandown.
McGregor says he’s delighted to be jumps racing’s major sponsor for another three years.
“The future looks really bright,” he said. 
Castoff heads for hurdles
Last Saturday’s Stawell maiden winner Ruscello could be headed for a jumps campaign in 2026.
The lightly raced four-year-old was having his first start for Warrnambool trainer Aaron Purcell in last weekend’s 1600-metre event, starting a $3.50 second favourite off a jumpout win at his new home track.
Ruscello had nine starts with Chris Waller, notching a pair of seconds, before Purcell bought him in an online auction.
“He came to me in great order,” Purcell said. “I’ve only had him for a few weeks. 
“I thought he’d be hard to beat after the jumpout. 
“I’ve got a jumping career in the back of my mind for him. We’ll see how he pulls up but he looks an ideal jumping type.”