Sophies Spirit has held of Little Surfer Girl in the Herald Sun Stakes

Sophie’s Spirit has held off a late charge from Little Surfer Girl to win the Herald Sun Stakes on Melbourne Cup Day.

The five-year-old mare added an impressive $120,000 to her prize money tally with the gutsy win, which was the fifth of her career.

Little Surfer Girl had to be content with second place, despite her magnificent run, while Divorces rounded out the placings in third.

Jockey Glyn Schofield, who is booked to ride Hawk Island in today’s Melbourne Cup, was pleased with Sophie’s Spirit’s run.

“She did it tough against the pattern of the track,” Schofield said.

“She was really strong right through.

“She only just prevailed in the end.

“She found a little bit on Melbourne Cup Day.

“I hope I haven’t used up my luck for the Cup yet.

“You need a bit of luck in this game and sometimes when it’s with you it’s with you.”

Trainer and owner Max Hinton indicated Sophie’s Choice would now target a race at Sandown on November 12.

“I thought that was going to grab us as normally happens but we got there,” Hinton said.

“She’s probably run at the Sandown meeting at that mare’s race and then I think she’s earned a rest.”

This was the mare’s eighth race of a preparation that included a handful of runs in the Brisbane winter carnival.

“I took her to Brisbane to try and grow her up a bit for this carnival… and it seems to have worked,” Hinton said.

“She’s a great mare.”