TALENTED stayer Spunlago has been crowned Southern District Racing Association's (SDRA) Horse of the Year for the 2018-19 season.
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The Ron Stubbs-trained galloper took out the award at the annual SDRA Awards Night at Murrumbidgee Turf Club on Wednesday night.
A metropolitan victory at Flemington in May proved telling in Spunlago clinching the award.
Spunlago beat horses the calibre of Bennelong Dancer who won the Country Championship qualifier in February for the top gong.
"Spunlago had a fantastic season and capped it all off with that Flemington win," Stubbs said.
"It is a proud moment and a good feeling to be recognised for the achievement.
"There were some good credentialed gallopers in the running for the award including Bennelong Dancer.
"I'm guessing Spunlago being able to win at Flemington in open company was probably what helped him get over the line."
IN OTHER NEWS
Spunlago won $166,705 for the season - the highest of any galloper in the SDRA.
The son of Hard Spun had 13 starts during the season for four wins and three minor placings.
Spunlago, who thrives on racing, is set for a hectic week.
He is set to contest the $150,000 Kilmore Cup, (1600m) on Sunday before also backing-up on Friday in the $100,000 Wodonga Gold Cup.
Spunlago has had two unplaced runs so far this preparation at Caulfield and Goulburn after resuming from a 17 week spell last month.
"He was going to go around in the Donald Cup last weekend before he had a minor setback," Stubbs said.
"He missed that one, so we will head to Seymour on Sunday.
"Then I'm keen to back him up in the Wodonga Cup if he pulls up well.
"He is a big strong horse and two runs in less than a week won't worry him.
"I had a quick look at the Kilmore field and as you would expect it is a tough field and I'm certainly not heading there with a lot of confidence."
Spunlago is quoted as a $101 chance is pre-post markets with the Anthony Freedman-trained A Shin Rook the early favourite at $3.40.
The eight-year-old galloper ran fourth in the Wodonga Cup last year taken out by the Logan McGill-trained Gold Fields.
Stablemate Yousay Bolt is close to resuming from a spell after heading to the paddock in July.
Yousay Bolt is being set for a tilt at the Country Championships.
He was an early favourite for the qualifier at Albury in March but was scratched in the lead-up after a setback.
Meanwhile Albury Racing Club committeeman Dick Sloane is the new president of the SDRA.
Sloane was voted in as the new president with Gundagai's Peter Reardon the new vice president. Corowa's Brian Scolyear is the new treasurer and Steve Keene becomes secretary.
He replaces Stuart Lamont who also stepped down as president of the Murrumbidgee Turf Club after 34 years on the board.