Racing: Longshot Spiro fends off challengers to win Wellington Cup

Spiro (30-1) stunned punters with a gutsy run down the straight to win the group two Wellington Cup (2400m) at Trentham on Saturday.

Carrying 53kg and ridden by unfashionable Awapuni jockey Kane Smith, the 5-year-old hit the front as the field straightened for the run to the line and put a one-length break on the others.

Running at full stretch, ears pricked, Spiro looked a sitting duck for the challengers as they came at him but held them all out.

In the last 100m, Six O'Clock News and Loose Change charged at Spiro but he wouldn't give in, maintaining his one-length margin at the finish.

Six O'Clock News just edged Loose Change to take second.

The Wellington Cup was New Zealand's premier two-mile race for more than a century but was controversially cut back to 2400m and downgraded to group two a couple of years ago, robbing it of much of its glamour.

Saturday's race was run in the rain and none of the top favourites showed up in what was an average field. Past New Zealand Cup winner Showcause found the track against him and favourite Mr Tipsy never showed up at any stage.

Spiro, a gelded son of Pyrus out of a Blues Traveller mare, finished well for sixth in the Marton Cup two weeks ago in his last cup warmup. He has now won seven of his 29 starts.

His trainer Sylvia Kaye earlier enjoyed success with top stayer Sapio, who numbered a New Zealand Cup among his several wins.

Queensland owner Dick Karreman, 60, saw his cup chance Innocent Lady fail and also missed with Obsession in the Thorndon Mile and Smoulder in the Desert Gold Stakes.

- NZPA