Racing: Sphenophyta off to Freedman stable

Highly promising New Zealand stayer Sphenophyta is booked on a flight to Melbourne on Saturday to join the stable of Lee Freedman.

Waikato trainer Richard Otto yesterday said the money to buy a majority share-holding in Sphenophyta had yet to arrive but he expected it would happen by the end of the week.

"He flies to Melbourne on Saturday," Otto said.

Otto, who has a half-share in the horse, would not disclose details of the sale but it had been previously reported Freedman was organising a syndicate to buy 60 per cent for A$600,000 ($750,000).

Otto and the horse's other New Zealand owner, breeder Mark Goodwin of Levin, would retain the other 40 per cent between them.

Sphenophyta has been nominated for the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups and the Cox Plate and has been withdrawn from his New Zealand engagements, including the $1 million Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m) at Hastings on October 7.

Otto had previously said Sphenophyta was a Melbourne Cup horse in the making but because he was lightly raced might be better suited to the race next year.

However, he yesterday said this year's Melbourne Cup could well prove his best chance as it was unlikely he would receive a big weight.

"This year might be the only year he has a winnable weight," he said.

Otto said he would not be disappointed at having to watch the horse from the sidelines as just a part-owner.

"Hell no, it'll be a lot of fun. He's a pretty smashing horse and it will be interesting to see how he goes."

Sphenophyta has been a slow maturer and has raced just nine times for four wins and three seconds.

Sphenophyta is named after a type of moss.

Among the horse's family is Moss Downs, who won nine races including the 1997 Kelt Stakes, while Sphenophyta's dam is Ballermoss who has left two other winners, Miss Moss and Cate Moss.

- NZPA